Friday 29 July, 2011
Stekelenburg lands in Rome



Roma have agreed a deal with Ajax and goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg arrived in Italy on Friday evening.

The Dutch international touched down at the Leonardo Da Vinci airport in Rome at 22.30 local time.


He was greeted by groups of fans and media who placed a Giallorossi scarf around his neck.


Although there is no official statement yet, it’s believed the clubs agreed a €6m fee plus performance-related bonuses.


Stekelenburg will undergo a medical on Saturday and put pen to paper on the contract.


He was expected to play in the Dutch Super Cup against FC Twente, but Coach Frank De Boer revealed he was not going to take part.


“Why? Because right now Stekelenburg is thinking about Roma.”

So Pissed.

6 Million, frakking disgrace.

He'll do great though, and Vermeer is a great replacement. Roma one of my favourites too.

He is stupid though, because this is Ajax comeback year most likely, they have a verrry promising young team (sort of like last years Porto, probably with more potential though) that will at least win the championship.

Great signing by Roma, Stekelenburg is one of the best keepers in the world and at a bargain price too. Well done Roma.

Roma will be interesting to watch this season

Awesome pic

frakking awesome.

I'm surprised ManU didn't go after him, but solid purchase by Roma. Enough with the Brazilian goalkeepers, please.

Potential WC goalkeeper and for 6 mill its a steal in today's market..

Good move by roma

Why did Ajax sell Stekelenburg for 6 milion? Can someone explain it to me? Why didn Man U went for him instead of De Gea for this price??

I mean, I would rather sign De Gea for his potential, but 6 milion for a ready great GK that can still play 7 years, is better than 20 for a potentially WC GK like De Gea but who is still a bit raw.

His contract is running out next year, so he would have pulled a Bosman next season. Stupid Ajax, always screwed over with transfer fees.

Ajax originally wanted 9-10m for him, which what I really would've preferred us pay.

I don't feel comfortable that we lowballed them into this deal, but that's how it goes on the market. At least they'll get something for him now instead of nothing for him next season. They really had little choice, but to accept.

I find it surprising though - I would have expected more teams to be interested in an already very established keeper on the cheap.

Dutch clubs are very crappy with transfers though,

Affelay was a steal, Suarez should have gone for at least 10 million more, and those were just two high profile ones from the winterbreak.

Portugal is much better at it (for a competition of similar gravity).

OFFICIAL:stekelenburg to roma

It is now official that Ajax have sold Maarten Stekelenburg to Roma after he underwent a medical this morning. “I’m happy.”
The shot-stopper went through a four-hour medical at the Gemelli clinic this morning and would only say “I’m happy” to journalists asking for comment.

“Ajax and AS Roma have reached an agreement concerning the transfer of Maarten Stekelenburg,” read a statement on the official club website.

“The agreement with the Italian club is conditional, and depends on a number of conditions being met.”

It is not immediately clear what these conditions are, nor the expected €6m transfer fee, but the goalkeeper passed his medical in Rome after flying in late last night.

“Stekelenburg was born on September 22, 1982, in Haarlem. He made his debut in Amsterdam on August 11, 2002, during the Ajax – PSV match (3-1).

“The keeper has played 282 official matches to date for Ajax. With Ajax, Maarten Stekelenburg has won the national championship three times (2002, 2004, 2011), the KNVB Cup three times (2006, 2007, 2010) and the Johan Cruijff Cup four times (2002, 2005, 2006, 2007). His current contract with Ajax runs until June 30, 2012.

“Stekelenburg made his debut with the Dutch national team on September 3, 2004, and he has played 40 interlands to date. He reached the World Cup Final in South Africa in 2010 with the Dutch team.”