Ajaxtalk

Daylon Claasen talks to Ajaxct.com. about signing for Ajax Amsterdam.

After a world-wind tour of Europe young Daylon Claasen returned to Ikamva with an Ajax Amsterdam contract firmly clasped in his hand.
Daylon left Cape Town the late last year for trials with Espanyol(Spain) and Paris Saint Germain(France). Earlier in 2007 he spent a week at Real Madrid from there he left for trials at Andelect in Belgium before returning home.Mark Meyer of Ajaxct.co.za spoke with Daylon about his time abroad.

MM – Daylon congratulations on signing for Ajax Amsterdam, When did you get back?

Daylon – Thanks Mark, I got back on December 22 , 2007 and spent the festive break with the family.

MM – How did you secure trials at Real Madrid, Andelect, Espanyol and PSG?

Daylon – Well, my manager Rob Moore worked very hard behind the scenes to secure the trials with these prestigious clubs.

MM – How long was the trials at each club?

Daylon –I was at Espanyol for 5 days and they were happy with me, then I went to PSG for a week. Espanyol recalled me for another week.

MM – So what happened next?

Daylon – Well, Espanyol could not sign me as they needed to sell two players to before they could buy. They were very happy with my performances and even their technical director came to watch me train.
At PSG they already exceeded their foreign quota for the season.

MM - Tell us more about the two clubs?

Daylon – Both clubs have huge support and are very professional in their approach. At Espanyol the players are very skillful and have good technique. Their movement off the ball gives the player in possession more options to make the pass.

At PSG, the players are big in stature and are more physical yet they have amazing skills.

MM – How did you move to Ajax Amsterdam come about?

Daylon – As I said before my management worked hard behind the scenes and before leaving Espanyol, I got a call to travel to Amsterdam as they wanted to have a look at me. I hooked up with Stanton Lewis who helped me to settle in. I trained for two weeks with the reserve team. There was no indication from the club as to whether they would sign me until I was called to come in for a medical. After that Rob Moore called to say that Ajax was interested in signing me and that we would meet with Ajax Amsterdam the following day.

MM – What was your first reaction?

Daylon – I was surprised but also grateful to be given a chance to play for one of the biggest clubs in Europe.

MM – Thanks for chatting Daylon.

Daylon – thank you and I have to thank my family for their support as well as Rob Moore and his team for all their hard work.

joey schreef:Mwah, hij spreekt over Ajax als over 'one of the biggest clubs in Europe' - als dat niet enthousiast is...

Daylon – Both clubs have huge support and are very professional in their approach. At Espanyol the players are very skillful and have good technique. Their movement off the ball gives the player in possession more options to make the pass.

At PSG, the players are big in stature and are more physical yet they have amazing skills.

MM – How did you move to Ajax Amsterdam come about?

(...)

Daylon – I trained for two weeks with the reserve team. There was no indication from the club as to whether they would sign me until I was called to come in for a medical. After that Rob Moore called to say that Ajax was interested in signing me and that we would meet with Ajax Amsterdam the following day.

Wel apart trouwens dat ze hem TWEE weken hebben laten meetrainen zonder op welke manier dan ook aan te geven dat ze tevreden waren.

Bertje schreef:Siwahla, volgens mij.

Demosthenes schreef:Hij was toch de laatste "gratis" op te halen speler?

Thomas schreef:

Demosthenes schreef:Hij was toch de laatste "gratis" op te halen speler?

Klopt. Het waren er drie. Pienaar, Lewis en nu dus Claasen.

Starring schreef:Ik ben meer benieuwd op wat voor level die Claasen kan acteren, want Lewis kan nog nét aanpikken bij Jong Ajax. Terleurstellend dus.

Wie kent Cees de Wolf nog schreef:Over drie weken zit ik in Kaapstad. Geef jullie budget en verlanglijstje maar door!

Wie kent Cees de Wolf nog schreef:Over drie weken zit ik in Kaapstad. Geef jullie budget en verlanglijstje maar door!

joey schreef:Daylon Claassen in goede vorm.

Later zullen hij en zijn team deelnemen aan de Copa Amsterdam.