Ajax signs Dutch attacker Babel to one-year deal

Amsterdam, Netherlands – Ajax added Netherlands attacker Ryan Babel on a one-year deal on Friday.

Babel 25, was released by former club Hoffenheim on Thursday night, and signed a deal to return to the Netherlands with Ajax, pending a physical.

"Ryan wanted to come here and show us that he is a good player," Ajax director of football Marc Overmars said. "Because he was available on a free transfer, not everything has to be completed tonight.

"We can wrap this up in the next few days so that the player can join us in training after the weekend."

Babel started his career at Ajax in 2004 and impressed before his departure in 2007 to Liverpool. Babel played at Liverpool from 2007-11, and at Hoffenheim from 2011-12. He scored just six goals in 51 matches for the German club.

Capped 42 times for the Netherlands, Babel can play as a forward or winger.