Ajax summer recruit Bassey explains why he switched to no. 3 kit, opens up on red card v PSV

Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey is delighted with his first ninety minutes in an Ajax Amsterdam shirt.

The summer recruit from Glasgow Rangers was handed his starting debut in Sunday's Eredivisie clash against Sparta Rotterdam, slotting in at central defence for the entirety of the game.

After he was assigned the number 33 for the 2022-2023 campaign, the left-back sported the number 3 at the back of his jersey during his debut against the team from Rotterdam - the same number he wore in his two-year association with Rangers.

Ajax number 3 kit became vacant following the transfer of former Netherlands youth international Perr Schuurs to Italian club Torino last week.

Explaining why he made the switch to number 3, Bassey said to Ajax's official website : "I want to apologize to everyone who bought a shirt with 33. Perr Schuurs used to have number three, but left.

"I thought it was a good time to take it over. Number three has always been my favorite because the three most important things to me are God, family and football."

Bassey was shown a straight red card on his competitive debut against PSV in the Dutch Super Cup and was allowed to play in the Eredivisie after serving a two-match suspension.

The Leicester City Academy product has admitted that he was initially bothered about the red card he was shown after less than sixteen minutes on the pitch.

"At first I was upset because I felt like I was letting the team down. But then I had to keep going, because I couldn't change the situation anymore.

"You have to take the focus and switch the switch for the moment you back. That's what I've been working on. It shouldn't hinder me in training or in the matches that follow."

Bassey, one of the standout players in last season's Europa League,  is in line to make his Champions League debut for Ajax Amsterdam next month.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : ajax.nl

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