Litmanen leaves Liverpool behind
Friday, August 30, 2002
Article summary
Finland striker Jari Litmanen is to return to AFC Ajax after a three-year absence.
Article body
Finland striker Jari Litmanen is to return to AFC Ajax after failing to win a regular place at Liverpool FC.
Extension possible
The deal with the Dutch double winners is initially for four months, with an 18-month extension to be considered in January. He will join Ajax on 9 September, in time for their opening UEFA Champions League game against Olympique Lyonnais on 17 September.
'Difficult time'
"Jari leaves a difficult time at Liverpool behind him," Ajax director Arie van Eijden said today. "I hope for him and for Ajax that Jari will return to being the Jari of old in Amsterdam."
Happier time
Litmanen made only 12 league starts for Liverpool since joining them from FC Barcelona on a free transfer in January 2001. The 31-year-old had a much happier time at Ajax, where he spent seven years prior to joining the Catalan side in 1999. He scored 126 goals in 224 games for the Amsterdam club, and helped them win the 1995 Champions League.
