Nigeria international defender Calvin Bassey caused a stir among football followers when he decided to join Ajax Amsterdam despite reports of interest in him from teams in the English Premier League.
Coming off the back of an extraordinary breakthrough season at Scottish side Rangers, a host of teams took a liking to him particularly the way he marshalled the defence in the Europa League, where they went all the way to the final.
He decided to make a record breaking move to Ajax around around same time when reports broke out that he is high on the list of priorities at Brighton and Hove Albion. A bid of around £12m was even said to have been lodged for him.
Although the bid fell below the valuation of Rangers, Bassey could yet have hanged on for a while but he immediately jumped on the idea of moving to Ajax. A decision he explained in a Twitter video on the official handle of Ajax.
“Who wouldn’t want to come to Ajax? Big club, lot of history, play good football, plays in the Champions League. It’s a no brainer.
. “Players who come from here have had great careers,” Bassey said in the short video.
He gave more explanation when he spoke to Ajax TV in an interview monitored by OwnGoalNigeria.com editorial team.
“It’s only now starting to get through to me,” he says in a first interview with Ajax TV . “It’s overwhelming and unbelievable at the same time. It didn’t feel real. Only now does it get a little real, because I see the shirt. Now it’s not unreal anymore, but wonderful to be here. It’s a pleasure to be here*, he stated.
“As a child you dream of playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world. You want to play in the Champions League, win trophies. Ajax plays in the Champions League and win trophies. They have a rich history.” Bassey is also aware that Ajax can later be a springboard.
“Players who come from here have had great careers. So Ajax is doing something very well. When I got the call, I didn’t have to think twice. No doubt at all”, he rounded up his explanation.
