George Ogararu joins Ajax for four seasons
23 May: Ajax have found themselves a successor for
Hatem Trabelsi: George Ogararu (26), currently at the top of
the Romanian Divizia A with Steaua
Bucharest, penned a four year contract at the Amsterdam ArenA
today. The transfer fee remains undiscloses, but is believed to
be 3 million euros. "You always want to play for this
club," the happy right fullback said.
George Ogararu (born Bucharest, Romania, 03 February 1980)
joined the youth academy of the Romanian capital's supreme
powerhouse, Steaua, when he was only eight years old. He has
been a Steaua player almost his entire life: the period of
18 years he spent at the club was only interrupted by two
loan spells during the 2001-2002 season, first at GSM
Resita and immediately after that at Otelul
Galati.
Ogararu made his first team début for Steaua on 14
November 1998, when he was 18 years old. In his first seven
seasons as a professional he played 149 games on the highest
level in Romania (including 104 for Steaua). He scored 5
goals in total. On 26 March of this year Ogararu made his
début for Romania's national team in th World Cup
qualifier against... The Netherlands. Romania lost by the score
of 2-0. It is as yet Ogararu's only cap for his
country.
"Ajax are a very big club," the delighted Romanian said
while the ink on his contract was drying. "One of the biggest
clubs in Europe. They won many trophies in the past. You
always want to play for this club."
Ogararu's excellent play during
Steaua's impressive UEFA Cup run of this season drew the
attention of several major clubs throughout Europe.
The player chose for Ajax, the club where his countrymen
Cristian Chivu and Bogdan Lobont were succesful in the
past, and where Nicolae Mitea is still part of the roster.
"I know Cristian Chivu quite well," Ogararu said. "I
used to play in Romanian youth teams with him. I had a
chat with him the other day and he told me: 'You've made a
really good choice.' Nicolae Mitea I've met when I played for
the national team. Hopefully he will help me and show me around
over here."
Romania did not qualify for the World Cup in Germany, so
George Ogararu will enjoy a well-deserved vacation with his
family this summer before permanently moving to Amsterdam.
"I really look forward to getting started!" the Ajacied said.
(MP)
Source: Ajax.nl
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