Ajax Amsterdam chief insists Bassey who played for Rangers is not from the biggest league

Ajax Amsterdam technical manager Gerry Hamstra has admitted that Calvin Bassey was not signed from a top European League club, even though Scotland's UEFA coefficient is nine, two positions less than the Netherlands.

The Dutch champions shelled a Nigerian transfer record fee for a defender at 23.3 million euros to land the Super Eagles left-back from Rangers, signing him as a replacement for Lisandro Martínez, who switched to Manchester United.

Almost everyone expected Bassey to make his unofficial debut for Ajax Amsterdam in Tuesday's friendly against Shakhtar Donetsk but it has come to light that he was unavailable for selection because he has not yet received a work permit.

Out of his 65 appearances for Rangers, nineteen were in European competition including the final of the 2021-2022 Europa League where he was in action for 120 minutes in a shootout loss to Eintracht Frankfurt -  a club from the big five European Leagues.

Hamstra reckons that Bassey can be an asset to Ajax Amsterdam based on what he has seen of the defender.

Speaking to Ziggo Sport, via Voetbal International, Hamstra said : "He may not play in the biggest league, but he did play the Europa League final. He has made a rapid development and we think he can achieve even more.

"We have a wide squad, but he offers us specific qualities. Why isn't he here tonight? His work permit has yet to be arranged."

Without Bassey in the squad, Ajax won their last friendly match of preseason, beating Shakhtar Donetsk 3-1.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : ajax.nl

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