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Ajax sign Ghanaian star Lartey

Ajax Cape Town coach Roger De Sa. Picture Credit: Gallo Images
Ajax Cape Town coach Roger De Sa. Picture Credit: Gallo Images

Ajax Cape Town coach Roger de Sa feels his side may have pulled off one of the coups of the season after their two-year pursuit of Ghana international defender Lawrence Lartey came to an end this week.

The 22-year-old centre-back signed a two-year deal at Ikamva, bringing the experience of winning the Ghana Premier League with AshantiGold in the 2014-2015 season to the young Ajax squad.

He has also captained his country at under-20 and under-23 level, and came recommended by former Ajax boss Muhsin Ertugral, who is now in charge at Mpumalanga Black Aces.

"When I arrived here [in February 2014] there was already a lot of interest in Lartey, I think it came from Muhsin's days here," De Sa said.

"He had seen the player at the Under-20 World Cup and the recommendation to sign him came through. Then the search started for Lawrence Lartey.

"We started looking at a lot of his videos and watching a lot of his youth games [for] the Ghana national team, and we continued to chase him. Eventually we managed to track him down and convince him to come over. It's taken two years really, but we are glad to have him."

De Sa said Lartey will add vital experience when the club competes in the CAF Confederation Cup next year.

"He's a massive addition to our team and comes in an area where we do need cover. He also has the experience to take us into Africa next year. He is young but has a lot of leadership qualities and has captained the national under-20 and under-23 sides of Ghana, and played in the senior national team too."

Lartey feels his game will develop in Cape Town.

"It has been good to be part of a club with so many good young players," he said. "This is a great club in general and the players here are on a good level. The facilities are the best I've experienced so far."

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