The Dutch giants have shared some of the reasoning behind the multi-million euro move for the Nigeria international
Ajax Amsterdam technical manager Gerry Hamstra has unveiled why the Eredivisie champions splashed €26.5 million (including performance-related add-ons) on Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey.
Bassey officially became an Ajax player on Wednesday, inking a five-year contract that will keep him in Amsterdam until the summer of 2027.
The 22-year-old was at Glasgow Rangers for only two years, but it was enough time to see him develop from a relatively unknown youngster to a top Europa League performer.
He has also grown into a fantastic person, with his charity work with school children receiving commendations from many.
Ajax chief Gerry Hamstra concedes that Bassey’s personality is one of the things the Dutch giants considered when preparing a move for him.
Hamstra equally revealed that Bassey’s ability to play several positions, including left-back and centre-back, at a high level convinced Ajax of his quality.
“He’s an open personality,” Hamstra told Ajax Life.
“He has taken a great flight with Rangers. Bassey first played as a back, but Giovanni van Bronckhorst put him in the center. He is a boy who has made great strides in a short time.”
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The transfer fee Ajax paid Rangers for Bassey is more than any club has ever shelled out for a Nigerian defender. It beats the £10.2 million Inter Milan paid French side Auxerre to acquire the iconic Taribo West 25 years ago.
The amount is also the second highest fee Ajax ever spent on a signing, beaten only by the €31.25m handed to Tottenham Hotspur for Steven Bergwijn earlier this month.
But Ajax are convinced that Bassey offers a great return on investment.
And Groningen-born Hamstra makes it clear that the Nigeria international would be heading to one of the biggest clubs in the Premier League in a couple of years.
“From here, he can still make a nice step to the top of England in two or three years,” the 52-year-old added.
“That is also the balance we use. On the one hand, we want to perform with guys like this, but we also know that they ultimately want to take the next step.”
In two years, Bassey made 65 appearances for Rangers, scoring once and providing six assists.
The Leicester City academy product will look to begin his Ajax adventure when the Red and Whites face Frankfurt in a friendly match on Saturday.
