AFC Ajax have announced that they will release head coach Henk ten Cate from the remaining year of his contract, allowing him to join Chelsea FC.

Ajax statement
After widespread speculation linking Ten Cate with a coaching vacancy at the London club, the Dutch side have said on their official website that "it is now up to Chelsea and Henk ten Cate to finalise the deal between themselves – Ajax do not expect this to take long".

Chelsea target
Ten Cate, reportedly a target for Chelsea since Avram Grant's appointment as successor to José Mourinho, is expected to become an assistant coach to the Israeli. The 52-year-old has been in charge of Ajax since May 2006, winning the Dutch Cup last season, although his team have already been eliminated from this term's UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup. He had previously worked as Frank Rijkaard's assistant at FC Barcelona, following successful stints at the helm of NAC Breda, BV Vitesse and MTK Budapest.