Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has expressed personal satisfaction over his role in bringing Mika Godts to Ajax. The former player and technical manager said the transfer gave him a real 'kick'.
Huntelaar explained his feelings on a podcast. "Dat ik hem naar Ajax haalde, gaf echt een kick", said the former Ajax man. He highlighted that the club signed the Belgian attacker for around €400,000 from a Belgian side at the time.
Godts's development path via Jong Ajax into the first team exemplifies the route Huntelaar envisioned. He pointed to the importance of giving chances to young players who often don't get opportunities at their own clubs. The technical manager also cited the player's mentality as key to his success.
Financially, the deal could still yield Ajax a significant return. "We haalden hem toen voor vier ton op en uiteindelijk krijg je een miljoenenbedrag (maximaal 55 miljoen euro, red.) terug.", Huntelaar said. He still has occasional contact with the Belgian.
Ajax currently sit fifth in the Eredivisie with 14 points from seven games. John van 't Schip's team has a mixed recent form of three wins, one draw and one defeat in their last five league matches. Their next home fixture is against NEC Nijmegen on October 10. The current table and full schedule can be found on our standings and fixtures pages.
Huntelaar's reflection shows the value of scouting and patient development within the Amsterdam club's youth system.
The report in full is at Headliner.nl
