Daley Blind calls return to Ajax "dream come true"

Dutch football player Daley Blind did not have a moment of hesitation when he was given the opportunity to end his career at Ajax. "This is what I wanted," he said Wednesday after his first training session for the new season. "'The circle is complete,' as they say. For me, this is a dream come true."

The 36-year-old defender signed a single-season contract, after becoming a free agent when he left Girona at the end of the recent season in Spain. Blind, who has made 108 appearances for the Dutch national team, made his debut for Ajax's first team in 2008. He left for Manchester United in 2014, and returned to Ajax four years later.

Blind left Ajax three years ago for Bayern Munich, and played for Girona under Míchel Sánchez. The Spanish manager was recently hired to take the reigns of the Ajax men's team.

The defender has played in 333 matches for Ajax over the course of his career, scoring 13 times. He is the second signing for the new season, after Ajax announced that Brazilian left-back Caio Henrique left AS Monaco for Amsterdam. Further, Ajax is allowing the departure of 18-year-old midfielder Sean Steur, who is finalizing a transfer to Newcastle United.

Steur was close to an agreement on a new contract at Ajax earlier this year. However, the talented young player has decided to leave after talks with Cruijff. Reportedly, Ajax will receive a maximum of 27 million euros for the midfielder. Cruijff could put that amount to good use when shoring up the men's squad.

Blind was drawing interest from several clubs in recent months. "But I only wanted one thing when the door at Ajax was ajar. Fortunately, it has now been fully finalized. It has been difficult to watch Ajax as a supporter in recent years," Blind said.

"It hurt quite a bit too, because I no longer saw the quality football I wanted to see. We have a long way to go now. It suits Ajax to say that we must become champions. Let's first make sure that we are still in the title race next May."

Cruijff is also in talks with FC Barcelona regarding the arrival of Marc-André ter Stegen. Ajax wants to bring in the German goalkeeper on loan for a season, despite the fact he has suffered several injuries in recent years.

"It is great that Daley is returning to the club where it all began for him," said Technical Director Jordi Cruijff in a press release. "He brings experience, composure, and quality. That can help this group immediately. For us, this is a logical step, because someone with his background and personality fits what we want to achieve."

"We need to become successful again and also win the matches where we might play less well," said Blind, who will compete at Ajax with left-footed central defenders like Youri Baas and Dies Janse. "I feel fit and want to become important at Ajax again," he continued.

"I know our coach, Míchel, from Girona. He knows very well where to find space in the opponent's defense. He knows what he wants from us. That is perhaps why you saw me coaching that way in training. Those are things they expect from me," said the defender, who wants to work as a coach at Ajax after his playing career.