Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has spoken about how he helped bring Mika Godts to Ajax.
In the winter of 2023, Ajax completed the signing of Mika Godts from Belgian club KRC Genk. Godts moved to Amsterdam before making a single senior appearance for Genk.
In his first 18 months in Amsterdam, he played for both Ajax's first team and Jong Ajax. He made his first-team debut against Fortuna Sittard in April 2023.
The 2024/25 season was Godts' first full season as a first-team regular. He made 47 appearances in all competitions that season, scoring eight goals and assisting six.
Godts then went on to establish himself as one of Europe's most exciting young wingers last season, shining in what was a difficult season for Ajax. In 44 appearances in all competitions, he scored 17 goals and registered 15 assists.
Those performances attracted the interest of European champions Paris Saint-Germain. Godts was understandably very keen on the move, and after negotiations with Ajax, the Parisians agreed to a deal to sign Godts in a transfer that could rise to €55 million if all bonuses are achieved.
Godts has not yet found the back of the net in a Paris Saint-Germain shirt, but did score for Belgium against Italy and has started all three games for Mark van Bommel's team so far in this round of international matches.
Huntelaar speaks about bringing Godts to Ajax
In the Voetbal International's Pak Schaal Podcast, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar spoke about bringing Godts to Ajax in 2023.
"I really enjoyed that, bringing in a guy like that," Huntelaar said when talking about signing Godts.
"We picked him up for €400,000 back then, and eventually you get a multi-million-euro sum back. That really gave me a kick.
Huntelaar also mentioned that Godts first played for Jong Ajax before breaking into Ajax's first team.
"That is how I envisioned it for several other players," Huntelaar said.
"Those are often the ages when boys want to make their debut, but they often don't get a chance at their own club. That is where you can bring a lot of boys to your club, ensure they embark on that path, and make it ultimately successful."
Have Ajax replaced Godts?
Godts' departure was not ideal for Ajax, however, they have replaced him very well.
Simon Adingra has not yet made his debut for the club as he arrived with an injury, but the injury was not said to be severe, and he should be back after the international break.
While Adingra struggled to establish himself in the Premier League at Brighton and Hove Albion and Sunderland, he was exceptional during the 2022/23 season at Union Saint-Gilloise. It was also only just over a year ago that Sunderland decided to pay a reported fee of more than €20 million to bring the Ivorian to the Stadium of Light.
Oscar Gloukh has also looked good on the left wing in the last few games. He does like moving into more central areas, but has also shown he can stay wider and dribble past the full-back.
Abdellah Ouazane has also looked very promising on the left wing so far this season, although he can also be used in more central positions.
The arrival of Julian Brandt also helps significantly in replacing Godts. They do not play in the same position, but Brandt has the ability to put up similar numbers to what Godts did last season and can swing the momentum of games in Ajax's favour.
