Adelaide United winger, Awer Mabil, has returned to training with his teammates in Adelaide after completing an invite-only trial with Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam.
Mabil spent a week training at Ajax’s Sportpark De Toekomst training facility and, although the winger was not offered a contract with the Dutch outfit, said the experience was incredible and he remains completely focussed on his job with the Reds.
“It was a good experience just to train with some of those boys and use (Ajax’s) facilities,” Mabil said.
“From now I don’t think anything is going to happen (in terms of joining Ajax), but my main focus is with Adelaide United. It was during the break so it was a good (opportunity) for me to go over there and see how it would go.
“Ajax are one of the best (clubs) in developing youth in the world, so it was good to be invited and I’ll take a lot from it.
“It gives me a lot of confidence, but my focus is here with Adelaide, Josep and my team mates to try and win some more silverware…that is my goal.”
United head-coach, Josep Gombau, believes the experience of training with one of European football’s most acclaimed youth development clubs is something that will undoubtedly help Mabil in his personal growth as a footballer.
“I’m so happy that (Awer) has had this experience (to train with Ajax) and that he could see another kind of football,” Gombau said.
“He knows that I said for him to enjoy the experience and after that it is something we needed to be realistic about. A player at his age to go there just for a week and (secure a contract is rare).
“In the end it is a very good experience for him and he’s had this extra training which will benefit him.”
Gombau continued by praising Mabil for his desire to improve and his potential, also reaffirming the commitment he has in helping United be as successful as possible.
“He’s a boy that is very connected with our club and he wants to work hard for us,” Gombau explained.
“I think that he will have a great future and he just needs to be passionate and work hard – then more good things will come.
“Last month he was (judged) as the best under-20 player in Australia and he deserves that. He needs to keep working and keep focussed and we’re very happy that he is here. We’ll be trying to help him to develop more.”
Adelaide United will play Newcastle Jets at Coopers Stadium in Round 15 of the 2014/15 Hyundai A-League season on Saturday, 24 January 2015. Kick off is at 4.30pm ACDT. Click here to purchase tickets.
