Ajax: Bundesliga interest in Ahmetcan Kaplan – debut after 555 days

“A fighter”

After 555 days, the time had finally come on Sunday: Ahmetcan Kaplan (21) celebrated his debut for the Ajax Amsterdam professionals. The central defender, who came from Trabzonspor in August 2022 as a replacement for Perr Schuurs (24; FC Torino) for 9.5 million euros, injured his knee twice and was out for over a year. Kaplan has played eleven games for Ajax II since October; he came on as a professional substitute for Anton Gaaei for the first time in the 36th minute against AZ Alkmaar (0-2) on the 23rd Eredivisie matchday. Even though it ended in defeat, it was still a reason for Kaplan to celebrate.

“Ahmetcan Kaplan made a fantastic contribution. That’s a big compliment to him,” midfielder Branco van den Boomen (28) summarized on “ESPN” after the game. “Ahmetcan is a fighter, someone with the right mentality who wants to be successful in top sport,” said ex-professional and Ajax’s U14 assistant coach Atilla Yildirim in an interview with “Football International“, who supported Kaplan in rehab as well as his advisor Necdet Ergezen. “I flew from Istanbul to Amsterdam for his operation and then stayed with him for two weeks. The staff helped Ahmetcan a lot during this time and came to his home for rehabilitation sessions. Even after that, I visited him regularly in Amsterdam,” says Ergezen.

Since the injury, Kaplan has faced a lot of competition at Ajax. The development of top talent Jorrel Hato (17) is through the roof, and next to him is 20 million euro newcomer Josip Sutalo (24). With Gastón Ávila (22), who has also had a knee injury since January, and Jakov Medic (25), two more new central defenders arrived. Recently, right-back Devyne Rensch (21) also moved into the center of defense from time to time. Kaplan’s situation is therefore being closely monitored by other clubs.

There is still Bundesliga interest in Ajax professional Kaplan

“Before he signed for Ajax there was interest in him from the Bundesliga and LaLiga. That interest still exists,” Ergezen said. Before moving to Ajax, Kaplan was linked to Eintracht Frankfurt, Borussia Mönchengladbach and VfL Wolfsburg. “Because of his qualities and his age, he is still interesting for clubs from the five biggest European leagues, but in my opinion everything has to happen at the right time,” said Ergezen.

Kaplan is tied to Amsterdam until 2027. His agent emphasized that it was “of course a privilege” to play for the Dutch record champions. “Ahmetcan has a courageous and strong character and that is why he chose a big club like Ajax,” said Ergezen. “He will continue to work hard and wait for his chance.”

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