Ajax Amsterdam’s Strategic Move: Why Maarten Paes Is Their Top Goalkeeping Choice

Maarten Paes, the Indonesian national team goalkeeper, is set to leave FC Dallas and join Dutch powerhouse Ajax Amsterdam. This move, confirmed by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, marks a significant step in Paes’s career, ending speculation about his future in Major League Soccer.

The decision to bring Paes to Amsterdam is driven by urgent needs in Ajax’s goalkeeping department. The club faces the imminent departure of two key goalkeepers, creating a pressing gap in their squad. With the main goalkeeper on loan from Liverpool and the veteran backup nearing the end of his career, Ajax had to act decisively to secure a reliable long-term solution.

Paes has been offered a permanent contract with Ajax, reflecting the club’s serious commitment. Reports indicate that the transfer fee exceeds one million euros, highlighting the financial investment Ajax is willing to make for stability in the goalkeeper position. The deal is structured to provide security for both the player and the club, extending Paes’s stay in Amsterdam until 2029.

An additional factor influencing this transfer is the prior connection between Paes and Ajax’s technical director, Jordi Cruyff. Cruyff, who previously observed Paes during his involvement with the Indonesian national team, reportedly played a key role in bringing him to the club. This reunion is expected to help Paes regain top form after facing competition and injuries in Dallas.

Timing also played a strategic role in the move. With Major League Soccer on its winter break, administrative procedures could be completed without disrupting Paes’s current season. This allows him to transition smoothly into Ajax and immediately focus on adapting to European football, much to the anticipation of fans in both the Netherlands and Indonesia.