Van Halst bound for Vitesse

Jan van Halst has signed a one-and-a-half year contract with SBV Vitesse after failing to establish himself in the AFC Ajax first team.

Prominent role
The 33-year-old arrived in Amsterdam from FC Twente in the summer of 2001, yet fell out of favour during Co Adriaanse's reign. His career at the Amsterdam ArenA was reignited under Ronald Koeman, Van Halst playing a prominent role as Ajax claimed both the Eredivise and Dutch Cup in 2001/02.

Title triumph
The new campaign has not been as successful, however, although Van Halst did make two appearances in the first group stage of the UEFA Champions League. He will hope to make more of an impact at his new club, Van Halst saying of the deal: "There was interest from Germany and Holland but I did not want to move from where I live and I am grateful to Vitesse that they have given me this chance."

'Very impressed'
Van Halst's first task is to try and help his new side move away from the bottom of the Eredivisie, a position he finds surprising. "I have looked at the squad and think they are too low [in the standings] bearing in mind the players they have. I have seen most of their UEFA Cup matches and was very impressed,' he said.

Hungry for success
Van Halst, who will join up with his new team-mates at a training camp in Portugal on Monday, is eager to be a success at the Gelredome, saying: "I know that Vitesse went a long way to get me here and I want to pay them back for that." Vitesse were knocked out of the UEFA Cup by Liverpool FC in the third round.