Ajax show faith in Vermaelen

Thomas Vermaelen has been given a two-year contract extension by AFC Ajax, keeping him at the Amsterdam club until 2012.

Injury
The 22-year-old Belgium defender made his Ajax debut in February 2004 and after a loan to RKC Waalwijk the following season returned to become an Ajax regular, although he has been out since September due to torn ankle ligaments. Ajax technical director Martin van Gaal said: "We expect Thomas back in January. But we have so much faith in his quality that we are very happy to commit him to Ajax for a longer period." Vermaelen, who has won one Eredivisie, two Dutch Cups and three Dutch Super Cups at Ajax, added: "I'm very happy with this development - to play for Ajax for many years to come and to win honours."