Contract extension until 2005 for John O'Brien
16 April: Friday 16 April was a black day for Ajax,
as the headlines in the Dutch press were dominated by
yesterday's outbreak of hooligan violence at De Toekomst.
However, there was good news also: the club reached an
agreement with John O'Brien on the extension of the American's
contract by one season. The California native's new
deal expires in the summer of 2005.
The news marks the end of an unpleasant period for O'Brien,
who has been injured for the large part of the current season.
In late March of this year the American had to 'take a place in
the waiting room' next to Jari Litmanen. Both Ajacieden were
injured so frequently that Ajax was still in doubt as to
whether they were going to be offered a new contract or not.
Litmanen did not receive a new offer. For O'Brien the story now
appears to have a happy ending, although the fact that the
injury-prone American's deal was extended by only one
season underscores Ajax's doubts about the player's physical
condition.
John O'Brien joined Ajax in July of 1998, entering the Ajax
youth system. He made his first team début just over one
year later on 16 September 1999 in the UEFA Cup fixture against
Dukla Banska Bystrica (6-1). So far O'Brien had 63 Eredivisie
appearances for Ajax, in which he scored three goals. He also
played 12 European games and seven domestic cup fixtures
wearing the Ajax jersey.
O'Brien has played for the United States national team 21
times. The highlight of his career so far was the summer of
2002: immediately after having won the Dutch championship and
the Amstel Cup with Ajax, he had a great World Cup tournament
with the U.S. team in Japan and South-Korea. The Americans made
it to the quarter finals. O'Brien was voted best midfielder of
the tournament. Shortly after his return to Amsterdam he also
added the Johan Cruyff Shield to his personal list of honors
with Ajax.
Quite obviously, John O'Brien is a very special Ajacied to
Ajax USA. A few dozen of Ajax USA members have had
the pleasure of meeting John at least once, during one of Ajax
USA's group pilgrimages to Amsterdam. By signing a new contract
at our club he surely saved the day...
Congratulations, John! We'll see you next time! (MP)
Source: Ajax.nl
Related links
