14 July 2023 , 20:44
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Dusan Tadic has left Ajax after asking for his contract to be terminated - just hours after Jurrien Timber's transfer to Arsenal.
Ajax confirmed Tadic's departure on Friday night and insist it was the "player's request" to leave the Dutch giants. Reports earlier on Friday suggested the Serbia international, 34, was refusing to attend training 'in protest' of Timber's move to Arsenal.
Timber, 22, has joined the Gunners in a £38.5million deal after weeks of speculation. He is the second player to join Mikel Arteta's squad this summer after Kai Havertz, with Declan Rice expected to complete a £105m transfer from West Ham shortly.
Tadic's contract with Ajax wasn't due to expire until June 2024, but he's now a free agent following Friday night's news. Ajax haven't referred to Timber's transfer in their confirmation of his exit, with the player admitting the decision to leave was "a very hard one".
It's claimed Tadic was unhappy with the decreasing quality of Ajax's squad. Antony, Daley Blind, Nicolas Tagliafico, Andre Onana, Ryan Gravenberch, Sebastien Heller, Noussair Mazraoui and Lisandro Martinez have all left the club since the start of last summer.
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Erik ten Hag also left to become the Manchester United manager a year ago. The impact of those exits is clear, as Ajax finished third in the Eredivisie last season. That was their lowest league finish in 14 years, with Tadic now calling time on his Ajax career.
Ajax have confirmed it was Tadic's decision to leave the club. Their sporting director Sven Mislintat said: "Dusan told us he wanted to terminate his contract in Amsterdam.
"Since his arrival in 2018, he has shown how important he is to the team and how he is a true leader, both on and off the pitch. Last season, his statistics were incredible and he has not missed a single Eredivisie match since his transfer to Amsterdam.
"The fact that he’s leaving is an incredible loss for Maurice Steijn and his staff. We would have loved to keep him but we respect his request and wish him all the best for the rest of his career. Ajax have been in contact with him regarding the next step in his career when it comes to coaching, and we have let him know that he will always be welcome."
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Tadic added: "The decision to leave the club has been a very hard one to make. However, I believe this is the right moment.
"I think it's right for not only me but also the club to make a new start. The time I have had at Ajax and the successes we have celebrated give me an indescribable feeling that I have never experienced in my career before.
"I would like to thank all the fans for the wonderful time I have had here. If it's up to me, this is not a final goodbye. I will forever be an Ajax player and hope to return to Amsterdam soon, in a different role as coach."