Dutch-born Ghana striker Brian Brobbey, has confirmed his willingness to stay at Ajax Amsterdam, having ended his loan spell at the club from German side RB Leipzig.
The talented striker joined RB Leipzig last season as free agent from Ajax after the expiration of his contract. Having failed to command starting berth at the Bundesliga side. Brobbey returned to the Dutch Eredivisie on loan at Ajax and now wants to make his deal permanent.
As national champion, the striker reports to Jong Oranje in Zeist, with whom he wants to qualify for the European Championship in 2023 in the coming qualifying matches. After a period full of Ajax parties.
The striker helped Ajax to clinch their 36th national title at the Johan Cruijff Arena.
MC Brobbey
“What was the best party? I think in Curaçao. A party with the trainers there, so that was great fun,” says Brobbey, visibly reminiscing. He calls himself ‘very quiet’ at a party.
“But when Daley needs me as an MC, I’m ready . Then I just sing along and shake people up.” It is clear: the tension can go away for a while at the Ajax players after a grueling season.
It has been a special year for Brobbey. After much fanfare, he left Ajax transfer-free to Leipzig last summer. A move that was often criticized. After all, he seemed far from finished learning in Amsterdam. Did the Bundesliga come too soon?
The critics were right. After six months in which Brobbey barely got minutes, felt unhappy and soon flirted with his old love again , he returned to Amsterdam on a rental basis . There he had a significant share in the national title with seven goals in eleven Eredivisie matches.
Brobbey, born and raised in Amsterdam, child of the club, is happy again. “Yes, and I needed that for a while. This is my home base, my family lives here. And I play for the club I love.” Brobbey said as quoted by nos.nl.
And if it is up to Ajax and Brobbey, he will stay for a while.
“I’ve said before that I want to stay here, that’s all I can say. I think the clubs are talking to each other.” Ajax hopes to be able to buy him back from Leipzig, but that comes with a price. The Germans reportedly want a double-digit amount.
“I don’t know if I’m worth that. I’ll leave that to Ajax,” said Brobbey, who received a message from Leipzig after the won national title.
“They congratulated me. I’ll keep what we discussed further to myself. Have I already spoken to Alfred Schreuder (the new Ajax coach, ed.)? No, I don’t have his number, haha.”
Brobbey, however, added that “The focus is now on Moldova, Gibraltar and Wales. Win three times and the Dutch Juniors is certain of the European Championship, next summer in Romania and Georgia. But who knows, by then Brobbey may already be in the selection of the ‘big’ Orange.
“That would of course be nice, but let’s first qualify with the Dutch Juniors. I think the trainer of 1 also wants that, he refers to national coach Louis van Gaal.
Van Gaal deliberately ignores Brobbey for a while
This was also apparent at Van Gaal’s press conference on Monday, who explained his chosen selection. He said that the Jong Oranje players Lutsharel Geertruida, Sven Botman and Brobbey are also in his picture, but are now deliberately not selected.
“I am the national coach of Dutch football and I have to ensure that the Juniors also qualify, because it is very important for that generation that they play a European Championship and gain experience at a tournament,” explained Van Gaal.
Brobbey adds he was also surprised when he heard of the call from Janssen who plays football in Mexico.
“I think everyone was surprised. I remember him from AZ, where he played with my brother (Derrick Luckassen, ed.). He was a very good striker at the time, but I don’t know how he has been doing in recent years. All in all I’m happy for him and of course I wish him success with his wedding.”
His chance will come, Brobbey thinks. “If I keep going like this, I’ll know for sure. And then I’ll take it too.” But first a triptych Young Orange. “I’m fit, but I did have a bit of a party with Ajax, so we’ll have to see how it goes, haha.”