Zinchenko makes shock Ajax switch in £1.3m Arsenal exit
Ukrainian international Oleksandr Zinchenko ends Forest loan to join Ajax in permanent deal, reuniting with former Gunners teammate Takehiro Tomiyasu in Amsterdam.
Arsenal’s utility man Oleksandr Zinchenko has made a surprise winter move to Ajax, ending his brief and largely forgettable loan spell at Nottingham Forest to return to the Eredivisie.
Deal Details
The Dutch giants have splashed around €1.5 million (£1.3m) to secure the Ukrainian international on a permanent deal from Arsenal. It’s a tidy bit of business for all parties involved, with Zinchenko desperately needing more minutes than the measly 714 he managed during his Forest stint.
Back to the Netherlands
This isn’t Zinchenko’s first rodeo in Dutch football. The 29-year-old previously had a spell at PSV Eindhoven, and now returns to the Eredivisie looking to reignite a career that’s gone a bit Pete Tong since leaving the Emirates.
The versatile left-back/midfielder has had quite the journey across European football:
- Started at Shakhtar Donetsk
- Played for Russian side Ufa
- Won multiple trophies with Manchester City
- Joined Arsenal in 2022
- Brief loan at Nottingham Forest
- Now at Ajax
Ajax’s Winter Business
Zinchenko becomes Ajax’s third signing of the January window, joining in Amsterdam alongside:
- Former Arsenal teammate Takehiro Tomiyasu
- Maximilian Ibrahimovic - yes, the son of the legendary Zlatan
The Ukrainian will be hoping to become a regular starter at the Johan Cruyff Arena after a frustrating season where he made just 10 appearances for Forest across all competitions.
For a player who was once a key cog in Arteta’s Arsenal rebuild, this move represents a chance for Zinchenko to remind everyone of his quality in a league where technical ability is prized above all else.