Teenage Dutch goalkeeper Mikki van Sas has defended his move from FC Utrecht to Manchester City.
Van Sas will join City's U18 team next season, having rejected a move to Ajax in the process - a decision that has upset the Amsterdam giants.
The 16 year-old had been contracted with Utrecht to 2022, but was signed by City earlier last month. He will initially join the club's academy. He joined Utrecht in 2016 after being scouted and snapped up from USV Hercules.
Ajax had been tracking the teen this past season and there was an expectation he'd join them - only for City to step in. Interestingly, Van Sas counts on the same management firm as Steven Bergwijn, who left PSV Eindhoven for Tottenham in January.
Van Sas explained to De Telegraaf via Voetbalzone: "These were difficult choices. It even haunted me to stay with Utrecht. It wasn't that I didn't want to go to Ajax, I just wanted to go to Manchester City. They had mapped out the best plan for me."
Van Sas admits he's received mixed reactions to his move.
Recalling one cheeky dig, he added: "Well, see you at NAC in three years! Pretty funny, right?"
Van Sas was acknowledging City's association with NAC, where several of the club's former academy players have spent time on-loan.
The teen continued: “Many boys who have gone to England in recent years have not diminished. Look at Dilrosun or Donyell Malen. And Jayden Braaf has just been voted Manchester U23 Player of the Year and is already training with the firsts.
"If it turns out that I am good enough, I will be transferred to the U23s."
- updated July 6
