Blind heading back to Ajax from Manchester United

Manchester: Dutch international Daley Blind has completed a return to Ajax Amsterdam from Manchester United on a four-year contract, the clubs said on Tuesday.

Ajax confirmed they struck a deal for an initial 16 million euros, which could rise up to 20.5 million euros with performance-based add-ons.

“To play for the biggest club in the world with such a history meant a lot to me,” Blind, capped 54 times by the Netherlands, wrote on Twitter.

“I want to thank everyone, the managers, coaches, the medical department, everyone who helped me to settle in so quick at the beginning, of course my teammates and last but definitely not least the fans.”

The 28-year-old, who came through the Ajax academy and played over 100 senior matches for the club, arrived at United in 2014 but was not a first-team regular under manager Jose Mourinho.

Able to play in midfield or defence, Blind won the FA Cup with United in 2016, and the League Cup and Europa League titles the following year.

Blind made 90 Premier League appearances in four years at Old Trafford but was limited to only seven last season.