Ricardo van Rhijn is back at Ajax for a while. The thirty-year-old from Leiden is without a club after his relegation with FC Emmen and is temporarily training with Jong Ajax.
Van Rhijn made 163 official appearances on behalf of Ajax between 2011 and 2016 and then played for Club Brugge, AZ, sc Heerenveen and Emmen. After he became transfer-free, he came into contact again with John Heitinga, former teammate in the 2015/2016 season and currently trainer of Jong Ajax. “And of a number of matches of the Dutch national team in which we played together. That made it more accessible for me to approach him,” he explains in conversation with the Ajax channels.
The defender is now temporarily back at the club where he has spent much of his life. “I could almost drive the route with my eyes closed,” he laughs. “Very nice that I can maintain my condition here for the time being, with John’s team.”
Ultimately, Van Rhijn hopes to find a new club, whether or not across the border. “I just turned thirty (on June 13, ed.), I’m fit and I certainly hope to last a few more years. I don’t rule out the Netherlands either, but there is certainly a preference for abroad.”
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