AFC Ajax concluded the summer transfer window with a series of major signings, headlined by the arrival of goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen. The Amsterdam club led the spending volume among the Eredivisie's traditional top three, according to a Goal.com report this week.
The Johan Cruijff Arena will be guarded this season by the German international, who joins on a season-long loan from FC Barcelona. Ajax also paid a fee for Brazilian forward Marcos Leonardo, making his move from Al-Hilal permanent. Free transfers brought German playmaker Julian Brandt and Moroccan midfielder Sofyan Amrabat to the capital. Club icon Daley Blind returned for a third stint with the club.
Ajax sealed deadline day with the loan arrivals of defender Thilo Kehrer and winger Simon Adingra.
What business did the other top clubs do?
Traditional rivals PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord were also active in the market. PSV secured Netherlands international Lutsharel Geertruida on loan from RB Leipzig. The Eindhoven side also signed Serbian winger Filip Kostic on a free transfer following his departure from Juventus.
Feyenoord, for its part, secured Belgian midfielder Charles Vanhoutte on a three-year contract. The Rotterdam club made the previous loan spell of English winger Reiss Nelson a permanent deal. ANP noted that "Ajax secure marquee international contingent".
What is Ajax's current league standing?
These new players are tasked with helping Ajax in the title race, where the club currently sits in fourth place. After three matchdays, Ajax has seven points from two wins and a draw. The goal difference is impressive: eight goals scored and just two conceded.
That does mean Ajax trails league leaders AZ Alkmaar by five points. The recent form for the Amsterdam side is WDW. Fans can check the full standings and team stats for a more detailed picture.
Where does Ter Stegen fit into the senior squad?
The arrival of experienced Marc-Andre ter Stegen on loan provides Ajax with immediate security between the posts. His presence should bolster the defensive organization, which is vital for a successful title challenge. The German goalkeeper brings years of top-level experience from both club football and the national team.
His leadership qualities will be valuable for a defense also reinforced by Thilo Kehrer. Integrating with other new arrivals, like creative Julian Brandt and strong Sofyan Amrabat, should give Ajax a more complete team. The full squad is listed on our squad page.
What is the next challenge for Ajax?
The first test for the revamped squad after the international break is an away fixture against FC Twente. That match is scheduled for November 8, 2026. Twente currently sits eighth in the Eredivisie table. Preparations for this clash are now underway, and the complete fixtures are available online.
The transfer window is closed and focus shifts entirely to the pitch. Ajax needs to close the points gap to AZ Alkmaar quickly. The next match against Twente offers an immediate opportunity to do so.
