Ajax defender Johnny Heitinga admits he has mixed feelings over his imminent move to Atletico Madrid.

The Holland international's switch was rubberstamped this week and he said: "When it was all agreed, I was on automatic pilot. I drove home a little bit numb, I didn't know how to feel.

"I've heard from my former teammates who chose to move abroad before me, it's all so completely different: the football, the league, the opponents, life… I'm just very curious.

"It is almost impossible for me not to feel guilty towards the fans that have always supported me. Let me say this, I tied myself up into knots agonising over this decision to leave Ajax. But it's something I feel I need to do."