AFC Ajax is closing in on the signing of Viktor Tsygankov. The Amsterdam club has reached an agreement with Girona for a fee just below five million euros, according to a report by Dutch outlet Telegraaf this week.
Tsygankov can sign a three-year contract with Ajax. Girona will retain a portion of the transfer rights for the Ukrainian international. The 28-year-old forward arrives from the Spanish club where he played under manager Michel Sanchez in recent seasons. For Ajax, Tsygankov's arrival fills one of two wing vacancies created by Mika Godts's departure to Paris Saint-Germain.
What does Tsygankov bring to the Ajax squad?
Viktor Tsygankov adds experience and versatility to the Johan Cruijff ArenA. The winger can operate on both flanks, giving manager Maurice Steijn additional tactical options. With 67 caps for Ukraine and 119 appearances for Girona, he has proven his quality at a high level. During his time with the Spanish club, he scored twenty goals and provided twenty-three assists.
Tsygankov's signing is part of a broader reinforcement strategy at Ajax. The club hopes to add another winger, a number six, and a right-sided central defender after completing this deal. The current squad sits sixth in the Eredivisie with four points from two matches. They have scored four goals and conceded two, giving them a goal difference of plus two. In the title race, they trail leaders AZ Alkmaar by five points.
When could Tsygankov make his Ajax debut?
Whether Tsygankov will be available for Sunday's match against Telstar remains uncertain. Ajax follower Mike Verweij of Telegraaf noted: "Of Tsygankov tijdig speelgerechtigd is voor de wedstrijd van zondag tegen Telstar (aanvang 16.45 uur) is zeer de vraag." The club is therefore targeting a debut in the subsequent match against PSV.
A first appearance against PSV would carry special significance for Tsygankov. Three and a half years ago, the Ukrainian was close to joining the Eindhoven club. He ultimately chose Girona, which is part of the City Group. The upcoming meeting with PSV is scheduled for September 13th, a fixture you can find on our fixtures page.
How does this transfer fit into the season's context?
The Tsygankov transfer comes as Ajax has made a sluggish start to their season. With one win and one draw from their first two league games, the club occupies sixth position. The upcoming away match against Telstar, who currently sit thirteenth, offers an opportunity to improve that standing. You can follow the live table on our standings page.
The new signing is expected to contribute immediately to Ajax's attacking sharpness and creativity. The team has scored four times in their opening matches but seeks more consistency in the final third. The arrival of an experienced international like Tsygankov should help address that. His statistics at Girona demonstrate his ability both to score himself and create chances for teammates.
With the transfer nearly complete, Ajax has taken its first major step in finalizing the squad. Attention now shifts to the other positions requiring reinforcement. The coming days will determine whether Tsygankov can make his bow on Sunday or if supporters must wait until the top clash with PSV. The complete team roster is available on our squad overview.
