'I'm still in my 20s' Bergwijn, who called Son Heung-min a role model, left Ajax to go to Saudi Arabia and joined RT Hard!
Sep 03, 2024
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Steven Bergwijn, who shared a team with Son Heung-min at Tottenham in the past, is the main character. RT Hard officially announced the recruitment of Bergwijn on the 3rd (Korea Standard Time). Ajax also agreed to a transfer to Bergwijn with 'Altihad at the same time. Ajax to receive over 21M EUR transfer fee from RTHAD, it announced.
Earlier on the 3rd, Fabrizio Romano, who is considered the top authority in the European transfer market, posted on his SNS account that Bergwijn will move to RT Hard in Saudi Arabia. Ajax and RTHAD have agreed to transfer to Bergwijn for 25 million euros, 'Bergwijn has already passed medical tests, leaving only the final signature on the contract. He even wrote the trademark 'here we go' when the transfer is virtually confirmed. It means "geo-official."
It was literally a surprise move. Bergwijn was the ace of Ajax. He has 29 goals and 12 assists in 80 games over the past two seasons. Bergwijn, who led Ajax's attack by wearing the captain's armband, also joined the Dutch national team and played in the Euro 2024 in Germany in June. He is only 26 years old now, so it was enough to try out for the big leagues once again.
But Bergwijn's choice was Saudi. The reason was money, too. Bergwijn was reportedly offered a salary of as much as 9 million euros by RT Hard. It is double the annual salary of 4.6 million euros currently being paid by Ajax. It was an unmissable temptation in Bergwijn.
Bergwijn was a promising Dutch striker. Bergwijn, who debuted at PSV Eindhoven in 2014, drew attention with his explosive speed and talent. He moved to Tottenham in 2020. Bergwijn has drawn attention as a replacement or competitor for Son. He also played an impactful role in the early stages. However, soon, the playing time gradually decreased, and the team's position rapidly weakened. In fact, Bergwijn, who was classified as out of power, ended his two-year career at Tottenham and returned to the Netherlands. He joined Ajax and once again flapped his wings of revival.
Bergwijn is especially famous for Son Heung-min. He said Son Heung-min was a role model at the time of joining the team, and he also maintained a good relationship with Son Heung-min. It is also well known for its unique bone celebration, where the third and fourth fingers of the right hand cross each other and put the hand in front of the face like a mask.
Bergwijn is likely to build a triangular formation with Karim Benzema and Moussa Diaby at the RT Hard. Bergwijn is expected to stand on the left and Diaby on the right with Benzema as the axis. In addition to them, N'Golo Kante and Fabinho are playing in RT Hard.
Ajax, meanwhile, are expected to recruit Kamaldin Sulemana, who plays for Southampton, to fill the vacancy for Bergwijn. Romano said 'Ajax embraces Sulemana with a loan offer that includes a full recruitment option' It has already reached a final agreement with Southampton, with a full recruitment of 20 million euros.
vanbasten@sportschosun.com
