Blind returns to Ajax for third spell at hometown club

Syndicated reporting provided by Stats Perform and reviewed by the SoccerNews editorial team.

Ajax have announced the return of Daley Blind for a third stint at his boyhood club, after he left Girona as a free agent.

Blind came through the ranks at Ajax and made his debut for them in 2008, eventually leaving for Manchester United after impressing for the Netherlands at the 2014 World Cup.

After four seasons at Old Trafford, during which he won the FA Cup, the EFL Cup and the Europa League, he returned to Ajax for another four-and-a-half stint.

Across his first two spells at the Johan Cruyff Arena, he made 333 appearances and scored 13 goals for Ajax, winning seven Eredivisie titles and two KNVB Cup crowns.

And he will have the opportunity to add to that tally after signing a one-year contract with the Dutch giants, following spells with Bayern Munich and Girona in the last three years.

Technical director Jordi Cruyff told the club’s website: “It’s great to welcome Daley back to the club where it all began for him.

— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) July 8, 2026

“He brings experience, composure and quality, and those are attributes that can help this group immediately. 

“For us, this is a logical move because someone with his background and personality fits perfectly with what we want to build.”

Blind will be reunited with his former Girona head coach Michel, who was appointed by Ajax following the departure of Oscar Garcia, who was interim boss for the final three months of the 2025-26 season. 

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