Ajax sends Ihattaren back to Juventus | Football

The 20-year-old Utrechter failed to play in Ajax’s main squad in the past calendar year, partly due to a number of peripheral matters. Ajax has decided not to exercise the option to buy.

Ihattaren went through PSV’s youth academy before making the switch to Juventus in the summer of 2021. The Italian club rented the left leg directly to Serie A club Sampdoria. Since the beginning of this year, Ajax has been renting him from Juventus, the club where he still has a permanent contract.

The Utrechter started the preparation for the current season promisingly, but due to private reasons he did not return to the club for a long time. Ihattaren was threatened by criminals because of his relationship with a young woman. He also maintained close ties with other criminals.

Hardly any matches

Ihattaren played five matches for Jong Ajax in which he scored four times, but it did not come to a competition appearance for the main squad. Only in the cup final against PSV (2-1 loss) did Ihattaren come into action for a few minutes.

Trainer Alfred Schreuder did not want to comment extensively on the imminent departure of Ihattaren during a press conference for the away game with Rangers FC in the Champions League on Monday evening. “I think that we as Ajax have done everything we can,” he said about the player he has not spoken to for seven weeks. “It’s a shame how it turned out. It didn’t turn out as we hoped for him. We’re not here for Ihattaren either, but for a game against Rangers. Ajax has issued a press release and that is the end of it.”

‘Unfortunate for people and footballer’

Prior to the Keuken Kampioen Divisional game between Jong Ajax against Willem II on Monday evening, John Heitinga briefly commented on the approaching departure of Ihattaren. The Jong Ajax coach did not want to go too deeply into the matter, but did see the tragedy of the situation. “It is especially unfortunate for the person and the footballer ‘Mo’. It didn’t turn out as we hoped, but I wish him every success in the rest of his career.”

Heitinga indicated that he had not had any contact with Ihattaren since the start of the season, and was only informed of the decision today: „I also heard today. Ultimately, the management will make a decision.” In the short time that Ihattaren played for his team, the trainer saw what the attacker had to offer. “He has proven how much talent and potential he has. He can play football, hopefully he will show his trick again soon”