Former Ajax CT Forward Completes R170m Transfer

Former Ajax Cape Town striker Lassina Traore has completed a €10 million (R170 million) transfer on Friday.

The Burkina Faso international joined Shakhtar, signing a five year-deal with the Ukrainian giants in a transfer worth €10 million, according to De Telegraaf.

The 20-year-old impressed for Ajax Amsterdam last season, scoring 12 goals in 31 first-team appearances.

At the age of 16, Troare joined former Ajax Cape Town and spent two years in the club’s MultiChoice Diski Challenge before leaving to join Ajax Amsterdam after turning 18.

He wrote headlines last season after scoring five goals and assisting in another three in a historic 13-0 victory of Ajax over VVV-Venlo in October 2020.

“We consider Traore to be one of the most promising forwards in Europe these days,” said Shakthar CEO Sergei Palkin.

“To be honest, until recently it was hard to believe that we would be able to sign him up just for one reason – in most cases, people don’t leave Ajax so easily. Traore had a year of contract left. 

“He’s preferred a different club though. We contacted his agent, there were quite long negotiations, but we reached a consensus, and today Lassina Traore is with us.

“He is the kind of player that suits any team: both offensive and defensive. He is a versatile footballer. A very powerful, he plays well aerially, being quite technical for a striker, plus he scores goals. 

“If you look at him from all sides and evaluate him among the attackers, then Traore has virtually every quality we need.”

Traore has made 14 appearances for Burkina Faso, scoring five goals since making his debut in 2017.