Ajax Amsterdam has officially signed Indonesian national team goalkeeper Maarten Paes from FC Dallas on a contract until June 30, 2029. The 29-year-old returns to the Netherlands after a successful period in Major League Soccer. The transfer was announced through an official club statement.
Ajax Amsterdam has reached an agreement with FC Dallas to sign Maarten Paes, the primary goalkeeper for the Indonesian national team. The Eredivisie club has tied Paes to a long-term contract until June 30, 2029. The official announcement from Ajax states, “Ajax, FC Dallas, and Maarten Paes have reached an agreement for a direct transfer. Paes signs a contract until 30 June 2029.”
The 29-year-old Paes was previously contracted with FC Dallas until the end of this year. Since joining in 2022, he has appeared in 114 MLS matches, recording 23 clean sheets and conceding 158 goals. At the international level, Paes has represented Indonesia in 10 matches, with 3 clean sheets and 18 goals conceded.
Paes's arrival opens significant opportunities for him to become Ajax's main goalkeeper, especially after senior keeper Remko Pasveer's departure. However, he will need to compete with Vitezslav Jaros for the number one spot. For Paes, Ajax is not unfamiliar territory; he previously played in the Eredivisie with NEC Nijmegen and FC Utrecht before moving to the United States.
This transfer marks Paes's return to European football, where his experience and consistency are expected to bolster Ajax's defense.
