Timely Timmer arrives at Ajax

AFC Ajax have solved their goalkeeping headache by bringing in experienced AZ Alkmaar shot-stopper Henk Timmer on loan for a season.

Keeper crisis
Timmer has been signed after Ajax's Romanian international Bogdan Lobont was ruled out until December with a shoulder injury. Reserve-team goalkeeper Joey Didulica is also injured, forcing Ajax to field the relatively inexperienced Maarten Stekelenburg during pre-season matches

Limited cover
The only other goalkeeping cover available to coach Ronald Koeman ahead of the start of the Dutch championship on 18 August was the 19-year-old Robert Zwinkels. Koeman will now hope to have an established first choice by the time Ajax enter the first group stage of the Champions League a month later.

Two times
Timmer, who was loaned out to UEFA Cup winners Feyenoord last season, signed for Alkmaar in 2000 but failed to displace first-choice goalkeeper Oscar Moens. Last season he played just two matches for Feyenoord as stand-in for Edwin Zoetebier - one in the league and the other in the Champions League against AC Sparta Praha. Feyenoord negotiated with Alkmaar for a permanent transfer but were unable to reach an agreement.