Bayer 04 Leverkusen striker Arkadiusz Milik believes his loan spell at Dutch Eredivisie giants Ajax Amsterdam next term will help further his development.
The Poland international, 20, spent the 2013/14 campaign on loan at Augsburg and has already agreed to join Ajax on loan next season.
Milik, a product of the Rozwój Katowice youth academy, is absolutely delighted to join the Dutch champions, and understandably so.
“I’ve made three big moves in my career to date – from Gornik Zabrze to Bayer Leverkusen, a loan to Augsburg and now Ajax,” he told UEFA.com.
“The third one was the easiest, the easiest decision to take. Ajax have a great reputation for their work with young players and I would like to take advantage of it.
“Some might say that the Bundesliga is stronger than the Dutch league, but that does not matter to me.
“Ajax are a Champions League club and I am sure it is the ideal place for me.”
The 20-year-old forward is also relishing the opportunity to play under the tutelage of Ajax manager Frank De Boer and coaches Dennis Bergkamp and Marc Overmars, all of whom have previously graced the club’s colours.
“It is really impressive,” added Milik. “They all had great careers and I have confidence I will be in very good hands.
“Although I don’t remember all of Bergkamp’s goals, there is no doubt he was a great player and I could learn a lot from him.”
Milik scored two goals in 18 Bundesliga appearances for Augsburg in 2013/14.
Aston Villa sign Joe Cole
Former England international midfielder Joe Cole has signed a two-year deal with English Premier League side Aston Villa F.C.
Cole, 32, will officially join Villa via free transfer on 1 July, having initially been linked with a move Birmingham last January.
The two-time West Ham United player is excited to start a new chapter in his career, which started with the Hammers back in 1998.
“I’ve signed a two-year deal and I am very excited about it, coming to a massive club. I’m very excited about it and can’t wait to get going,” said Cole.
“I spoke to the gaffer and we agree on a lot of things in football and playing in a central midfield role sold it for me.
“I’ll be coming here and I’ll be learning too. Obviously I’ll bring my experience to the squad but you still learn every day and I want to learn.
“I know I’ll learn from the manager, I’ll learn from other players here and going forward together we want to get the best results for the club.
“It will be exciting to play with the young players here. I’ll be trying to keep hold of the ball, make some goals and score some goals. It’a a great challenge. I can’t wait to get started.”
Meanwhile, in other news, FC Internazionale Milano have secured the full ownership of highly-rated Sampdoria forward Mauro Icardi for an undisclosed fee.
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