Heitinga set for Ajax return

Former Netherlands international defender Johnny Heitinga is set to return to Ajax Amsterdam, Bild has suggested.

The 31-year-old joined Hertha on a two-year deal from Fulham last summer, but he in turn failed to nail down a regular starting berth, making mere 13 Bundesliga appearances.

As a result, the veteran defender hopes to leave the club this summer and it appears he has all but agreed a return to Ajax.

Bild understands that Hertha will allow Heitinga to leave on a free transfer even if he has another year left on his current deal, with his agents expected to agree on personal terms with Ajax in the coming days.

The Amsterdammers sporting director Marc Overmars has offered the defender a two-year contract, but Heitinga’s agent Rob Jansen wants a longer deal for his client.

It was at Ajax that the centre-back began his career and made a name for himself, scoring 17 goals in 152 Eredivisie outings before joining Atletico Madrid in 2008.