Timely Timmer arrives at Ajax
Thursday, August 8, 2002
Article summary
AFC Ajax have solved their goalkeeping headache by signing AZ Alkmaar goalkeeper Henk Timmer.
Article body
AFC Ajax have solved their goalkeeping headache by bringing in experienced AZ Alkmaar shot-stopper Henk Timmer on loan for a season.
Keeper crisis
Timmer has been signed after Ajax's Romanian international Bogdan Lobont was ruled out until December with a shoulder injury. Reserve-team goalkeeper Joey Didulica is also injured, forcing Ajax to field the relatively inexperienced Maarten Stekelenburg during pre-season matches
Limited cover
The only other goalkeeping cover available to coach Ronald Koeman ahead of the start of the Dutch championship on 18 August was the 19-year-old Robert Zwinkels. Koeman will now hope to have an established first choice by the time Ajax enter the first group stage of the Champions League a month later.
Two times
Timmer, who was loaned out to UEFA Cup winners Feyenoord last season, signed for Alkmaar in 2000 but failed to displace first-choice goalkeeper Oscar Moens. Last season he played just two matches for Feyenoord as stand-in for Edwin Zoetebier - one in the league and the other in the Champions League against AC Sparta Praha. Feyenoord negotiated with Alkmaar for a permanent transfer but were unable to reach an agreement.