Arsenal have signed Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen from Ajax Amsterdam for a fee of 12 million euros ( which has a variable component of 2 million euros). The fee details did not come from the Gunners, but were revealed on Ajax’s official site ( Ajax.nl)
Vermaelen, 23, can play both as a left back and a centre back. His versatility will help Arsenal, especially when their first choice left back, Gael Clichy, becomes unavailable.
The duration of the contract was not announced, but Arsenal said that it was a “long term contract”
Vermaelen started his career with his native Geerminal Beerschot and moved to Ajax in 2003. Beerschot were Ajax’s former satellite club, and gave the Dutch giants Vermaelen as well as Jelle Van Damme before the two clubs parted ways.
He made his debut at the age of 18 against Volendam, and went on to make over 140 appearances for Ajax in his six year stay at the Amsterdam Arena.
