Babel agrees new Ajax deal

Highly-rated Netherlands striker Ryan Babel has signed a new three-year contract with AFC Ajax, tying him to the Amsterdam outfit until 2010.

Learning curve
Babel, 20, has attracted interest from a number of European sides but has opted to continue his development at the club where he made his name. "I live in the neighbourhood and know everyone," he said. "On a technical level I'm not ready to leave yet either. I have a lot to learn. I'm on the right track, but I know I have to push through in the next year. I hope to become a champion with Ajax again." The youngster, who can play anywhere across the front line, has scored four times in 12 appearances for the Netherlands and has become a key figure for Ajax since breaking through from the youth academy in 2004/05.

Under-21 champion
Babel's lead has been followed by Dutch Under-21 international goalkeeper Kenneth Vermeer who has agreed a new deal until 2010, adding two more years to his contract. Vermeer, who played every minute of the Jong Oranje's UEFA European U21 Championship triumph last summer, is yet to make his Eredivisie debut, but is confident he will not have long to wait. "I hope to be Ajax's No1 one day and I'm convinced this will happen," he said.