Ajax extend Luque lifeline
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Article summary
AFC Ajax have offered a career lifeline to Newcastle United FC striker Albert Luque after signing the Spaniard on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.
Article body
Low impact
Luque has struggled to make an impact in the Premier League, making just six starts and scoring one league goal for Newcastle since arriving from RC Deportivo La Coruña in summer 2005. Luque graduated from the FC Barcelona youth academy and joined RCD Mallorca in 1998 before moving on loan to Málaga CF a year later. The 29-year-old came to prominence at Deportivo, whom he joined in 2002, scoring 26 Primera División goals in 101 Primera División appearances.
Career revival
The skilful forward, who helped his side reach the UEFA Champions League semi-final in season 2003/04, also won the first of his 17 international caps in 2002 and was in Spain's 2002 FIFA World Cup and UEFA EURO 2004™ squads. He will be hoping to revive his career at Ajax, who are looking to reverse a 1-0 deficit in their UEFA Champions League third qualifying round second leg tie against SK Slavia Praha in Amsterdam on Wednesday.