It has been announced that Ajax winger Miralem Sulejmani will join West Ham on loan for the 2010/11 season.
The Serbian wide man became the Amsterdam-based club's record signing in 2008 when they paid fellow Eredivisie outfit Heerenveen €16.25million for the pacy 21-year-old.However the Belgrade-born international has failed to impress at Ajax and views the chance to feature in the Premier League as the ideal opportunity in which to kick-start his career. He is expected to arrive in London this afternoon in order to undergo a medical before rubber-stamping his switch.
News of Sulejmani's imminent move to England was announced earlier this afternoon by the Dutch media. Ajax boss Martin Jol, speaking about the possibility of losing Sulejmani, admitted that he was reluctant to lose him - albeit for just one season in which his entire salaray is expected to be picked up by the Hammers.
"The interest from West Ham has existed for some time and that was in his [Sulejmani's] head," said the former Tottenham coach. "We tried to stretch it out as long as possible but their deadline was approaching.
"It saves a substantial salary, anyway. On the other hand I had him here on Sunday against FC Groningen - and was happy to."
Sulejmani, speaking before he left for London told reporters that they will be seeing him again before too long - hinting that there will be no 'option to buy' in the arrangement between West Ham and Ajax. "I am leaving for West Ham," he announced, "but I'll come back next year full of power."
The Serbian would become Avram Grant's sixth capture of the summer following the arrival of Thomas Hitzlsperger, Pablo Barrera, Frederic Piquionne, Winston Reid and Tal Ben Haim, who is also on loan (from Portsmouth).
He would become the ninth player - all foreign - signed since David Sullivan and David Gold bought into the club back in January, with Ilan, Mido and Benni McCarthy to add to the above list.
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