Ivory Coast international Simon Adingra has joined Dutch giants Ajax on a season-long loan from Sunderland, continuing a period of movement in the winger’s club career.
The 24-year-old will spend the upcoming season in the Netherlands after Sunderland agreed to send him out on loan for a second successive campaign.
Adingra spent last season on loan at AS Monaco, but will now return to the Netherlands, where he will attempt to establish himself at one of the country’s most prominent clubs.
The agreement between Sunderland and Ajax includes an option for the Dutch side to make the move permanent at the end of the loan spell.
“Ajax is delighted to announce the signing of Simon Adingra on a season-long loan from Sunderland AFC. The agreement includes an option to buy for Ajax.”
Sunderland are set to receive more than €3m as a loan fee under the agreement, while Ajax have an option worth €16m to sign the Ivorian permanently.
The purchase clause is not mandatory, meaning Ajax will have the choice of whether to make Adingra’s move permanent once his loan period comes to an end.
For Adingra, the move represents another opportunity to play at a club with a strong European football tradition and to build on his experience in European leagues.
The Ivory Coast international will wear the number seven shirt at Ajax.
That number carries a notable history at the Amsterdam club, having previously been worn by Nigerian football legend George Finidi between 1993 and 1998.
Finidi was part of a successful period in Ajax’s history, making the shirt a significant one for Adingra as he begins his spell with the Dutch side.
The winger’s immediate task will be to establish himself in the Ajax team and make an impact during his season in Amsterdam.
His move comes after a campaign at Monaco, where he was also playing away from his parent club.
Sunderland have now opted to send the Ivorian out on loan again, with Ajax providing the next destination in his career.
The structure of the deal also gives Adingra the opportunity to potentially remain at Ajax beyond the initial one-year period if the Dutch club decides to activate the purchase option.
For now, however, his focus will be on making the most of the season-long agreement and helping Ajax while continuing his development at club level.
The move keeps Adingra in European football and gives the Ivory Coast international another platform to compete at a major club as he looks to strengthen his position and continue his career in the Netherlands.
