Diario Sport: Ter Stegen close to joining Ajax on loan, dressing room welcomes him

Hupu Football News | July 11 — According to Diario Sport, it appears to be only a matter of time before Marc-André ter Stegen joins Ajax. Although the Dutch club has not yet officially announced the signing of the German goalkeeper, some within the dressing room already consider him a new teammate.

Loan Move to Amsterdam

The report states that Barcelona goalkeeper Ter Stegen will move to Amsterdam on loan, becoming a core member of new head coach Michel's project. After 11 seasons at Barcelona, the German international will begin a new chapter, aiming to help Ajax return to the top tier of European football. With his years of experience competing at the highest level, he is already regarded as an important figure in the dressing room, even before officially joining.

High Expectations Within Ajax

Ter Stegen's arrival has generated significant anticipation at Ajax. Aaron Baumann, an 18-year-old center-back and one of the club's rising stars, publicly discussed the goalkeeper's impending arrival in an interview with Dutch television AT5, effectively confirming that the deal is nearly complete.

Baumann said:

"We can learn a lot from him because he played for Barcelona for many years. When he comes here to play, we can learn a lot from his experience."

These remarks underscore the significance of Ter Stegen's move for Ajax. He will not only strengthen the key position of goalkeeper but also become an important leader in a team full of young players. For these youngsters, Ter Stegen's wealth of top-level experience and leadership offer strong role-model value.

New Coach Michel's Influence

In the same interview, Baumann also discussed the first few weeks under Ajax's new coach Michel, who took over the team this summer. Baumann noted that the Spanish coach has brought a stricter working style.

Baumann said:

"It's a different mindset. Everything is a bit tougher, which makes you more focused. He wants us to give our all because he wants to compete for titles."

Against this backdrop, Ter Stegen's experience is expected to become a valuable asset for Ajax, helping the team accelerate its growth. Ajax aims to regain competitiveness in the Eredivisie and European competitions, and Michel's high demands, along with the leadership provided by players like Ter Stegen, are seen as key foundations for the new project.

Source: Diario Sport