Ajax have completed the signing of Croatian defender Jakov Medic from FC St. Pauli for a fee of €3 million.
Medic has signed a five-year deal with Ajax, which will see him stay at the Johan Cruyff Arena at least until June 30, 2028.
Confirming his arrival to the club, the Eredivisie side put out a statement on their official website which reads:
“Ajax, Sankt Pauli and Jakov Medić have reached an agreement on the transfer of the defender to Ajax. The Croat signed a contract that lasts until June 30, 2028.”
The 24-year-old made 30 appearances for FC St. Paul last season, scoring 6 and providing no assists across all competitions.
He becomes Ajax’s 5th signing this summer, having already signed Carlos Borges, Diant Ramaj, Benjamin Tahirovic and Branco van den Boomen.
The departure of Jurrien Timber to Arsenal necessitated the need for the Dutch giants to find a replacement to fill the massive void.
Nigeria international Calvin Bassey also left Ajax to join Fulham this summer for a fee of €22.5 million.
Jakov Medic has remarkable defensive attributes which could make him a world-beater in years to come.
The defender has also expressed his desire to deliver for Ajax stressing that he “can’t wait to start” playing for the club.
Jakov Medic states his commitment to deliver for Ajax
Speaking in an interview with Ajax, Medic said: “I play always for the full stadium, I like the atmosphere and I can’t wait to step on this pitch and this stadium to play my first game.”
Ajax finished 3rd in the Eredivisie last season and failed to qualify for the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League.
Their 3rd-place finish in the Dutch top-flight league last term was shocking to many given their lofty heights.
However, they would be hoping to bounce back in the upcoming season as they aim to wrestle the Eredivisie title off the hands of Feyenoord.
The 4-time Champions League winners have played 5 games in preseason so far, drawing 2-2 with FC Den Bosch, before defeating Shakhtar Donetsk by 3-0.
However, they have suffered 2 defeats in 3 games after that, losing 3-0 to Anderlecht and 3-1 to German side Augsburg.
Those defeats was sandwiched between a 5-3 enthralling win over German side Unterhaching.
Maurice Steijn’s side still have one game left in preseason and it is against German Bundesliga heavyweights Borussia Dortmund on Sunday, August 6, 2023.
Ajax would commence the 2023/24 season, with an home game against Heracles on Saturday, August 12, 2023.
Meanwhile, Jakov Medic has previously played for several clubs in his career, including; NK Lucko, FC Nuremberg and NK Istra 1961.
The 24-year-old has made 149 appearances in his career, scoring 15 goals and providing 8 assists across all competitions.
The former NK Vinogradar is yet to make his first appearance for the Checkered Ones of Croatia.
