Sofyan Amrabat agrees Ajax move as Amsterdam club add experienced midfielder

Ajax are set to strengthen their squad with the signing of Morocco international Sofyan Amrabat, who will wear the number six shirt after agreeing a two-year contract with the Amsterdam club.

The 30-year-old midfielder becomes the latest experienced free agent to continue his career at Ajax, following the arrivals of Daley Blind and Julian Brandt. His move comes after he ended his contract with Fenerbahce, making it significantly easier for Ajax technical director Jordi Cruyff to complete the deal.

Cruyff had been assessing both players already under contract and those available as free agents, as previously reported. Amrabat had been on Ajax’s list for some time, but a transfer had initially been ruled out because of the financial implications.

Those obstacles changed once the Morocco international became unattached. Ajax have now moved to secure a player with extensive domestic and European experience, as well as 78 caps for his country.

Amrabat’s time in Turkey has come to an end after a spell with Fenerbahce. During the past six months, he had already spent time away from the club on loan at Real Betis.

The midfielder, younger brother of former PSV Eindhoven player Nordin Amrabat, began his senior career in the Netherlands before establishing himself abroad. He played for FC Utrecht and Feyenoord in the Eredivisie, two clubs with a longstanding rivalry with Ajax.

Amrabat made his first-team debut for FC Utrecht in 2014 and went on to make 54 official appearances for the club. Three years later, Feyenoord signed him for four million euros.

He played 33 matches in Rotterdam before moving overseas. In 2018, Club Brugge recruited him from Feyenoord at De Kuip, marking the start of the next phase of his career.

After leaving the Netherlands, Amrabat continued his career with Club Brugge, Hellas Verona, Fiorentina, Manchester United, Real Betis and Fenerbahce. His move to Ajax will therefore represent a return to Dutch football after a series of spells across several European leagues.

The signing gives Ajax another senior option in midfield and adds further experience to a squad that is also welcoming former players and established names as free agents. Amrabat is expected to take his place in the squad under the number six shirt once the two-year agreement is completed.