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37-Year-Old Klaas-Jan Huntelaar Comes Off The Bench To Score Crucial Late Brace For Ajax

37-Year-Old Klaas-Jan Huntelaar Comes Off The Bench To Score Crucial Late Brace For Ajax

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is still going strong at the age of 37.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar turns 38 later this year but the well-travelled Dutch striker's predatory instincts in attack are still very much there.

With Ajax drawing 1-1 and on the verge of dropping points against FC Twente last night, Huntelaar was sent on in the 89th minute as the Amsterdam outfit looked for a crucial winner.

Their veteran number nine provided that and more. Huntelaar made Eredivisie history by striking twice to clinch a huge win that moves Ajax four points ahead of PSV and three points clear of Feyenoord and Vitesse at the top of the table.

Incredibly, the former Real Madrid and AC Milan man had just four touches in his late cameo and two were goals. Klaas is permanent.

His first, in the 90th minute, was assisted by new signing Sebastian Haller, who headed down for the former Netherlands international after opening his Ajax account himself in the first half.

He was celebrating wildly again moments later after latching onto a firm pass in behind from Zakaria Labyad before supplying a deft dinked finish.

Check out the highlights here, with Hunterlaar's contributions coming after the four minute mark:

'The Hunter' had previously hinted towards retirement at the end of this season but it's emerged former club Schalke are keen on bringing him back to the Veltins Arena as they look to avoid relegation from the Bundesliga.

Speaking on his decision after the game, Huntelaar told ESPN: "I've talked about it with Ajax, but it's a difficult choice for me. I have played for a long time at Ajax, six and a half years now.

"And I played at Schalke for seven years. So they are the two clubs that I like the most.

"Schalke is in more trouble, they need me more, so that is more of a feeling choice. Ajax is a bit more stable and perhaps a bit nicer in terms of ending, with the possible title, the cup tournament and European football. Of course it is difficult. I'm not so far out there that I can tell. I'm going to sleep on it one more night."

It feels like he's been around forever but Huntelaar's goal record is absolutely sensational, with 365 goals in 656 club appearances.

He's also got 42 in 76 caps for the Netherlands.

Featured Image Credit:

Topics:Β Football News, Football, Eredivisie, Ajax

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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