Stekelenburg accepts Roma challenge

UEFA Europa League hopefuls AS Roma have continued to rebuild their squad by signing Netherlands goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg from AFC Ajax for a fee in the region of €6.3m.

The 28-year-old, who was first choice between the posts when the Oranje reached the 2010 FIFA World Cup final, trained with Ajax for the final time on Friday morning before flying to Rome to undertake a medical. After agreeing a four-year deal with the Giallorossi, the Dutchman became the sixth new player to join the club this summer. Under the terms of the deal, Ajax will receive an additional payment if Stekelenburg extends his stay or signs for another club, and a further fee if Roma qualify for the UEFA Champions League.

Capped 40 times by the Netherlands, Stekelenburg made his debut with Ajax in 2002 and went on to play 191 Eredivisie matches for the Amsterdam club, winning the league title in 2003/04 and 2010/11 and the Dutch Cup on three occasions. His contract with the four-time European champions was due to expire in June 2012.

Roma, who appointed Luis Enrique as coach after finishing sixth in Serie A last term, will enter the UEFA Europa League at the play-off stage. The Giallorossi have already signed Bojan Krkić, Gabriel Heinze, Erik Lamela, José Ángel Valdés and Loïc Nego this summer.