AFC Ajax has bolstered its squad for the 2026 season with the signings of Sofyan Amrabat and Gerónimo Spina, while Youri Regeer departs the club. This emerges from an overview of the latest transfer developments in the Eredivisie, as reported by Dutch outlet Telegraaf this week.
The 30-year-old Amrabat signed a two-year contract in Amsterdam. Defender Gerónimo Spina, aged 21, joined on a free transfer from Atlético Madrid. Meanwhile, midfielder Youri Regeer is making the move to German side Werder Bremen. Ajax currently sits fourth in the Eredivisie with seven points from three matches and a +6 goal difference. Manager John Heitinga's team is preparing for a key fixture against PSV, which you can find on our fixtures page.
Which players are arriving and leaving Ajax?
The arrival of the experienced Amrabat is meant to solidify Ajax's midfield. The Moroccan international spent recent years in the Premier League. At the back, Argentine defender Gerónimo Spina is a new option for the defence. He was a free agent after his time at Atlético Madrid.
The departure of Youri Regeer to Werder Bremen is confirmed. The young midfielder is currently not available for selection, which is listed on our injuries page. Furthermore, FC Copenhagen has shown interest in a loan deal for 20-year-old Maher Carrizo. The Danish club wants to take the young player for a season.
How is Ajax performing in the league?
The Amsterdam side started the season with two wins and a draw. They are in fourth place in the table, which you can follow live via our standings page. With eight goals scored and two conceded, they have one of the best defences in the league. The team is, however, five points behind leaders AZ Alkmaar.
The next test is the home match against PSV Eindhoven on September 5th. PSV is in second place, making them a direct competitor in the title race. This match is vital for keeping pace with the top.
What's happening at other Eredivisie clubs?
Sparta Rotterdam brought midfielder Cedric Hatenboer back to the Netherlands. The 21-year-old arrived from RSC Anderlecht for a fee of one million euros and signed a four-season deal. Anderlecht retains a substantial percentage of any future transfer fee. Hatenboer previously played for Excelsior and Telstar.
At FC Twente, Mathias Kjolo is leaving for Norwegian side Rosenborg. The 25-year-old midfielder played for Twente since 2022, making 126 appearances. He will not feature against SC Cambuur and is in Trondheim for his medical. Kjolo began his career in the PSV youth academy, where he played just two minutes for the first team.
What was the major transfer abroad?
Chelsea made a notable reinforcement in goal by signing goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez from Aston Villa. The 33-year-old Argentine international, a 2022 World Cup winner, signed a three-year contract in London. English media reported a transfer fee of around £7.5 million, approximately €8.8 million. Martínez said about his move: "I want to be successful here. I am someone who wants to win everything he does and I want to bring that here."
With the transfer window closing, Ajax now focuses on the important home match against PSV. The new signings must immediately prove their worth in a fixture that could significantly impact the league table. The current squad composition can be consulted in our squad overview.
