Ajax end Machlas misery
Thursday, July 31, 2003
Article summary
AFC Ajax have parted company with their out-of-favour Greek international forward Nikos Machlas.
Article body
Record signing
The Dutch club have released the Greek international after failing to attract interest in the player during the summer transfer window. Machlas, who was a record €8.6m signing when he joined Ajax from SBV Vitesse in 1999, becomes a free agent.
Out of favour
The 30-year-old did not make a single first-team appearance for the club last season, and was loaned to Spanish side Sevilla FC in January. He had 12 months left on his contract but did not figure in coach Ronald Koeman's plans. The former OFI Crete FC forward scored 44 goals in 93 matches at the Amsterdam ArenA, and won the Dutch league and cup double in 2001/02.