AC Milan Sign Dutch International Urby Emanuelson From Ajax

AC Milan made their second big purchase of the winter by purchasing Dutch winger Urby Emanuelson from Champions League rivals Ajax Amsterdam.

The 24-year old midfielder's contract at the Dutch giants was set to expire in June, at which point Milan could have and would have brought him in for free. However, Emanuelson had made clear he wanted to play for Milan and CEO Adriano Galliani had no problem dishing out 1.7 million euros for his services this month.

The beauty of Emanuelson is his versatility. He began his career with Ajax in 2004 solely as a left back. In time, he began to push farther up the field. He can be deployed in the midfield as well as at fullback.

Manager Massimiliano Allegri is thrilled about his new option. "He is a midfielder with great technique and is very dynamic," the first year Milan manager said. "He will be extremely useful for us."

Milan have suffered at the fullback position with neither Gianluca Zambrotta or Luca Antonini providing the skills they displayed in recent years.

Ironically, despite this, Milan currently sit four points clear at the top of Serie A ahead of nearest rival Napoli. The move should increase Milan's capability of holding the top spot. Fellow new signing Antonio Cassano has already started to produce for the club since his move from Sampdoria.

Emanuelson is very excited about being with Milan and especially fellow Dutch midfielder Clarence Seedorf, who played with Ajax, which is also Emanuelson's hometown club, from 1992 to 1995.

“My objective is to win trophies and I feel that I can do that here. I have known Zlatan Ibrahimovic since our time together at Ajax.

“Then there are legends like Gennaro Gattuso and Andrea Pirlo, Clarence Seedorf and Alexandre Pato. I hope they can all teach me something about the sport.”

“It was a magical moment. The day after our game against Feyenoord, I was sitting around the table with Milan's management.

“I didn't get home until midnight and I couldn't sleep," the new Rossoneri said. "I've spoken to Clarence, and he's waiting for me in Milan."

Urby was in attendance for Milan's 2-0 ground out victory over Cesena on Sunday. The club are back in action on Wednesday in the Coppa Italia Quarterfinals against Sampdoria before traveling to Catania, where Emanuelson could possibly make his debut, on Saturday.

The only problem for Emanuelson is that he can not help Milan in their Champions League campaign. The Rossoneri resume play with the first leg of the Round of 16 against English side Tottenham Hotspur on February 15th. As a member of Ajax, he has already played six times for the Dutch side in this year's tournament, twice against Milan, in the Group Stage.