Leeds United are close to agreeing on a deal to sign Ajax youngster Pascal Struijk. According to recent reports in the English media, the Peacocks are set to complete a transfer for the 18-year-old who has been in fine form for the Ajax Under 19 side this season. The teenager is expected to initially link up with Carlos Corberan’s Under-23 side after he travelled to England on Thursday to finalise his switch from the Dutch football.
The Holland Under-17 international has just six months remaining on his current contract with Ajax and he was set to depart on a free transfer at the end of the season. The Peacocks are currently focussing on bringing in some youth players for their developmental squad since Andrea Radrizzani completed his takeover of the West Yorkshire club last year. A number of promising young talent has been recruited in this transfer window with another talented youngster joining their side to ply his trade at Elland Road.
Struijk has previously featured for ADO Den Haag U19 side before he made a switch to AFC Ajax in the summer of 2016. He has been in sensational form for the Ajax Under 19 team this term, scoring 8 goals and providing 2 assists in 38 matches for the Dutch giants across all competitions. Only time will tell whether he can continue to produce the goods after arriving in English football.
The Peacocks has recently fallen to 10th place in the English Championship standings after picking up just a point in their last four league outings. The pressure is on Leeds manager Thomas Christensen to start delivering some positive results soon with the West Yorkshire outfit falling out of the race for the playoff spots going into the second half of their campaign.The addition of Struijk might not have any immediate impact on their first-team this season but he has the potential to develop into a very important asset for the Peacocks in the coming years.
The 18-year-old has also represented his nation three times playing for the Netherlands Under 17 team, two years ago.
For now, the Leeds players need to turn their fortunes for the better by performing on the pitch. Christensen’s side are preparing for an away trip to Hull City in the league on Wednesday looking to go back to winning ways.
It remains to be seen whether the young Dutch defender can break into the Leeds United first-team in the coming seasons.
