Ajax had a very busy summer transfer window, with Jordi Cruijff making a dozen new first-team signings in a bid to win the Eredivisie this season.

In goal, Ajax signed Marc ter Stegen on loan from FC Barcelona. The German worked with current Ajax head coach Michel Sanchez last season at Girona. Ajax signed Caio Henrique and Jofre Torrents at left-back. In central defence, Daley Blind returned to the club on a free transfer, and Ajax also signed Thilo Kehrer on loan from AS Monaco.

In midfield, Ajax completed the signing of Julian Brandt on a free transfer following the expiry of his contract at Borussia Dortmund. Sofyan Amrabat's contract at Fenerbahçe was terminated, and he therefore also joined the club on a free transfer, as did Yves Bissouma after his contract at Tottenham Hotspur expired.

In attack, Ajax strengthened the right wing with Viktor Tsygankov, who, like Ter Stegen, worked with Michel at Girona. Ajax signed two strikers, including Marcos Leonardo from Al Hilal on a permanent transfer. They also signed Tolu Arokodare on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers with an option to make the deal permanent next summer.

On the left wing, the Amsterdammers signed Simon Adingra on loan with an option to buy from Premier League outfit Sunderland.

One of Ajax's top priorities in the summer was signing a defensive midfielder, and Amrabat is the player who was signed to fill that role. 

In an interview with Voetbal International, Amrabat praised Ajax technical director Cruijff for the summer transfer window he produced and explained how his move to Amsterdam came to fruition.

"The first conversation with Jordi Cruijff was back in April; that was just very pleasant and enjoyable," Amrabat explained when asked how the transfer to Ajax developed.

"He told me what his plans were: that he wanted to bring in several top players. Then, of course, you have to wait and see if that will actually work out, because you are always dependent on others, but he delivered on it all.

"I think that if there had been a different technical director, not all these players would have come.

"Of course, Ajax is simply a fantastic club, one hundred per cent certain. But the big picture has to be right."

Last season, the No. 6 position was a real issue for Ajax. It was absolutely crucial that they strengthened that area of the pitch in the summer. With Amrabat and Bissouma, Cruijff made two excellent signings in that position.

Amrabat is a well-rounded player. He offers energy out of possession and wins the ball back frequently, but is also fantastic on the ball. He can control the tempo of games and is progressive on the ball. In addition to that, he is also very experienced. He has played in World Cups, as well as in the Premier League for Manchester United. 

The signing of Bissouma means Ajax now have two very good players for the defensive midfield position, and Bissouma can also play as a No. 8. He did not play many minutes last season, but has 8 years of Premier League experience and has the quality to make a real impact in the Eredivisie.