Jordi Cruijff cuts salary bill as van den Boomen exits Ajax for free

Branco van den Boomen, the 30‑year‑old midfielder, finalised a free transfer from Ajax to French club Angers, ending his loan spell after half a season. The move comes as his contract with Ajax ran until the summer of 2027, but technical director Jordi Cruijff chose to release him without a fee to shed the player’s high salary.

Van den Boomen had been on loan at Angers for the previous six months, gaining valuable playing time in Ligue 1. His performances convinced the French side to secure his services on a permanent basis.

Despite the original agreement binding him to Ajax until 2027, the club agreed to let him leave on a free transfer. Jordi Cruijff indicated that the decision was driven by the desire to eliminate the midfielder’s sizable wage bill.

Míchel, who succeeded Oscar Garcia as Ajax’s head coach, confirmed that he will not call on van den Boomen for the current season. Consequently, the midfielder is no longer required to report to the Amsterdam training ground.

The Dutch side recruited van den Boomen in 2023 amid high expectations for his impact. However, he failed to meet those expectations during his time at Ajax.

Before joining Ajax, van den Boomen enjoyed a successful spell at Toulouse, building a solid reputation in French football. His recent displays for Angers have further enhanced his standing in France.