Aribo delighted for Bassey as Ajax explains why they paid 'more '
The pair were teammates at Rangers and have formed a close bond over the past few seasons
Super Eagles and Southampton playermaker Joe Aribo admits he's delighted for national teammate and former Rangers teammate Calvin Bassey after he sealed his move to Ajax on Wednesday.
The pair were teammates at Rangers and have formed a close bond over the past few seasons.
They also feature together at international level for Nigeria.
Bassey signed a five-year deal with Ajax following his €27million switch.
Aribo has also left Ibrox this summer, with Southampton snapping up the talented attacking midfielder in a deal potentially worth up to £10million.
And the 25-year-old says Bassey richly deserves his move.
He told talkSPORT: "I speak to him a lot. He's very happy with the move.
"It's one that's deserved because he had an amazing campaign last year. He's really excited."
In the first month of the new season, Saints face both Manchester United and Southampton at home.
Aribo was asked if that was a daunting prospect, or something to be excited about.
He replied: "I feel excited. I'm not really a nervous player anymore. I used to be at times, but now I just embrace the moment and the occasion. I can't wait to get going.
"I play as a No.10 or an eight. I just want to get involved in the play, be on the ball and to help drive us up the pitch.
"We want to push and fight this season. We want to finish in the top half of the table and push for Europe. That's the aim.
"We'll try out best and do what we can as a team because we're on a good journey here, I'm excited for what's to come."
Meanwhile, Ajax sporting director Gerry Hamstra openly admits the €27m fee it took to prise Bassey away from Rangers was a touch expensive for the Dutch champions' tastes.
But there's a reason they splashed such a significant fee - Bassey's elite-level potential.
The four-time Champions League winners are certain they can reap the benefits of the former Leicester City youth's accelerated development.
Their plan is ambitious given the sums involved, but given Hamstra is happy to draw parallels with the likes of Jaap Stam and Virgil van Dijk, it's no surprise they pushed the boat out.
Hamstra told The Scottish Sun: “Calvin got into professional football late at Leicester City. From there, like Jaap Stam and Virgil van Dijk did a bit in the past - he fought his way up. Calvin is an open personality and he has really taken off at Rangers.
“We are getting one of the stars of the Europa League final. At first, he played at left-back but then Giovanni van Bronckhorst put him in the centre. He is a boy who has made great strides in a short time. We are in a situation at the club where a lot of players have gone.
“We looked at potential and got a player for more than we would normally pay - because he had to be a Champions League-worthy replacement. The one-on-one replacements simply cost a little more than the guys for the future. Ultimately, you have ambitions. You want to become champion and take the next step in Europe.”
