Ajax swoop for Janssen

Dutch Footballer of the Year Theo Janssen has joined Ajax from Eredivisie rivals Twente for an undisclosed fee.

Midfielder Janssen, 29, played an influential part in Twente’s season as they reached the Europa League quarter-finals and defeated Ajax 3-2 in the Dutch Cup final.

Twente failed to retain their Eredivisie title by two points after losing away to Ajax on the last day of the season.

And the man who scored 13 goals for them in the campaign will line-up for their rivals next season after agreeing a two-year deal with the Amsterdam outfit.

“I want to become champions again,” Janssen said.

“I leave Twente with a good feeling, they are a top club. They will be at the top again next season.”

Janssen put the reason for an impressive season down to the greater freedom he was allowed under Michel Preud’homme, who replaced Steve McLaren as coach in May 2010.

“When I arrived there, I had a more controlling role but under Preud’homme I was given more freedom. He said from the first day on, ‘You will become the best player in Eredivisie’.”