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Calvin Bassey explains why he chose Ajax over England: “Playing in the Premier League would have been easier for me.”

Published

2 years ago

August 5, 2022

Bassey’s exit ‘heartbreaking’ for van Bronckhorst

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Calvin Bassey listed 3 reasons why he chose to sign for Ajax over the likes of Brighton, Leicester City, and Aston Villa.

The 22-year-old defender completed a £23m transfer from Scottish giants Rangers to Ajax, snubbing interest from the likes of Leicester City, Brighton, and Aston Villa in the Premier League.

The Nigerian international is now set to compete in the Dutch Eredivisie and the UEFA Champions League with Ajax during the 2022/23 season.

‘Premier League is great, but…’ – Calvin Bassey

Bassey stated that he was very excited when he was told of the interest by Ajax, and he went ahead to discuss it with his family and waited till the transfer was completed.

The Nigerian international told Football Scotland that though it would have been a ‘safer’ choice to move to the Premier League since he understands English, his desire to play for Ajax made him choose a move to the Netherlands instead.

Bassey said: “I discussed it with my family and tried to keep calm even though I was very excited about the move because it’s only completed when everything is signed.

“Returning to England might have been the safest option for me and of course, I know the language and the Premier League is a great competition. But it did not outweigh my desire to move to Ajax.”

I want to play in the Champions League – Calvin Bassey

Bassey further explained that Ajax’s track record of building up budding young talents and the opportunity to play in the UEFA Champions League made him choose the Alfred Schreuder-led team.

The former Rangers star also chipped in that competing for trophies is another advantage that Ajax had over the Premier League clubs interested in signing him.

“Every year you see new young players playing for Ajax in the Champions League, each and every one of them talents who are getting better and better,” Bassey explained.

“That development appeals to me and here I can play for trophies, watch myself grow and play with all good players around me.”

Bassey has previously shone in European competition, helping Rangers to the final of the 2021/22 UEFA Europa League and making it to the tournament’s Team of the Year.