De Jong urges team-mates to consider Ajax stay

Ajax captain Siem de Jong has urged his team-mates to stick together and remain at the club after he turned down foreign interest to stay.

De Jong, 24, starred from midfield for Ajax last season, scoring 16 goals in 47 appearances in all competitions.

He played a major role in Ajax’s third successive Eredivisie title last term but was tipped to leave the Dutch capital amid reported foreign interest from the likes of Newcastle United and Borussia Monchengladbach.

But De Jong is pleased with his lot at Ajax and wants some of his in-demand team-mates – namely midfielder Christian Eriksen and defender Toby Alderweireld – to stay at the club as they look to build on their recent success.

“I have decided to focus completely on Ajax,” De Jong told Ajax’s official website after a 3-2 friendly win over Werder Bremen.

“I have a good feeling about the whole preparation, the group, and the staff. I do not see why I should leave.

“I want to send a signal, a transfer is not an issue for me, it does not play. It would be nice if this group stays together. Yesterday I told the coach they can count on me.”