Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is very pleased with the arrival of Gerónimo Rulli to the Johan Cruijff ArenA. The Argentinian goalkeeper, who came over from Villarreal, immediately became the first goalkeeper and showed himself in recent weeks. For Huntelaar and CEO Edwin van der Sar, this was a confirmation of earlier findings.
Last summer, the team from Amsterdam already hoped to get a new goalkeeper, but the transfer of Odysseas Vlachodimos was stopped at the very last minute by the Supervisory Board. The goalkeeper of Benfica turned out to be too expensive. Attracting Rulli was allowed and according to Huntelaar it was a good decision. “We are happy that Rulli has come,” he says The parole. “He was our first choice. His arrival has been widely supported in the club.”
Huntelaar is not the only one who decided to bring in the Argentinian. Gerry Hamstra, with whom Huntelaar sets out the technical policy, was involved in the process and Van der Sar, as a former keeper, was also asked for his opinion. All those involved agreed on Rulli’s qualities. “Edwin van der Sar obviously had a say in it”, the former top striker said.
The Argentinian must again prove his worth for Ajax on Thursday. Rulli is on ice and serving again, under the Amsterdam crossbar during the Europa League meeting with Union Berlin and could again end up in a penalty shootout. In the final of the second European club tournament in 2021, when Villarreal played against Manchester United, the Spaniards won on penalties and Rulli used the latter. “So he knows how to take him”, laughed trainer John Heitinga. “He’s not on my list yet!”