Jari Litmanens seven-year spell at Ajax saw the Finnish forward establish himself as one of Europes best players, as the Dutch sides punt on the young MyPa star in 1992 more than paid off.
Litmanen would net 129 goals in 228 appearances for the club, helping them win four Eredivisie titles and three KNVB Cups domestically, with that sides crowning achievement being the 1995 Champions League victory under boss Louis van Gaal.
Litmanen on joining Barca
There were three options on the table for me: Bayern, Barcelona and Liverpool, Litmanen tells FourFourTwo. I followed La Liga in the Netherlands because of Johan Cruyff and Koeman, and Bara were always a special club.
I was convinced I could adapt to Spanish football, but during the first few months, I had a lot of injuries. It was frustrating because I couldnt fully adapt.
The squad also had plenty of quality in my position Luis Enrique, Ronald de Boer, Gabri so every time I came back, I had to fight for my place in the team and never got into a rhythm. The next pre-season, I felt really good.
I thought, 'This is going to be a better year for me.' But Van Gaal had left and Lorenzo Serra Ferrer had taken over as interim coach before the presidential elections.
When Joan Gaspart was elected, he confirmed Serra Ferrer, and the coach told me he wanted me to leave. It was early August and there was interest from other clubs, but I said I didnt want to leave in a hurry.
Even though Barcelona gave my No.10 shirt to Rivaldo, I was still a part of the squad, but always in the stands. That was frustrating, because I was fit, yet I didnt get the chance to play.
Litmanen would eventually move on from the Catalan side in January 2001, when he joined Liverpool on a free transfer.
Upon joining the Reds, Litmanen revealed he had fulfilled a childhood dream by signing for the club, having idolised Kevin Keegan and Kenny Dalglish when he grew up.
After a promising start to life on Merseyside, Litmanen broke his wrist playing for Finland against England at Anfield in March 2001, missing the rest of the season, as his team-mates won a treble of the League Cup, FA Cup and UEFA Cup.
The following campaign would see him struggle to hold down a regular first-team place amid an ankle issue, but he did chip in with some key goals before leaving at the end of the 2001/02 season, when he rejoined Ajax and received a heros welcome back in Amsterdam.
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