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Serero deal worth about R25m

Ajax Cape Town forward Thulani Serero was officially unveiled as a new signing for Ajax Amsterdam on Sunday mid-morning.

The  deal is reportedly worth around R25 million, a record transfer fee between a South African and an overseas club according to the Cape outfit's chief executive George Comitis.

The announcement was made in a press conference staged in Cape Town in the presence of the Dutch club chief executive Rick van den Boog and chief commercial manager Henri van der Aat.

Serero joins on a four-year contract and is subject to medicals on his arrival at the club's headquarters in Amsterdam on June 27.

He is expected to be a part of the team's pre-season tour of China and Scotland later on in preparation for the 2011/12 Dutch league season.

"Yes we have agreed on all terms, his manager Mike Ntombela was also present, Thulani will be moving over there next month," said Comitis.

"I can confirm that this is the biggest deal between a South African and an overseas club yet."

Just 24-hours earlier, Serero was part of the Urban Warriors heartbreak at Cape Town Stadium with the side losing out on the Premiership title eventually lifted by Orlando Pirates on the final day of the league season.

It would have been a perfect send off for the 21-year-old prodigy who is expected to make a clean sweep at the Premier Soccer League awards function next Sunday.

Though he joins an Amsterdam outfit that is fresh from claiming their 30th championship and will be in the UEFA Champions League next season.

"This is a dream come true for me. I plan to work hard to make an impact in Amsterdam," Serero said.

"But first I need to listen to the coaches and technical staff in order to learn how they play their football."

Comitis also added that defender Clayton Daniels, 26, will be at the Amsterdam club around about the same period to be looked at again with a possibility of also signing on.

Meanwhile, the bigger Ajax also presented the Cape side's former chairperson, John Comitis, with an honourary life chairperson position.

He had been instrumental in the Ajax Cape Town concept that saw the merger of his Cape Town Spurs and Rob Moore's Seven Stars back in 1999.

Amsterdam has 51% share holding of their satellite side.

The Cape side has officially retired the chairman position at the club, meaning that the chief executive gets full controlling powers.

"Yes we have closed down that position, it is a great, great honour for John to receive such an award," said younger brother George Comitis.
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