By DPA
Madrid : Former Spanish striker Ismael Urzaiz confirmed Friday that he was leaving Athletic Bilbao to join Ajax Amsterdam.
Urzaiz, 35, passed his medical checks in Amsterdam Thursday and will sign a one-year contract with the Dutch club.
Urzaiz told Spanish news agency EFE that "Ajax showed interest in me … They are going to play in the Champions League and that it is exciting for me to play for this club".
He added: "When a great team like Ajax shows interest in you, this fills you with excitement".
The Urzaiz deal has been set up by Ajax coach Henk ten Cate, who was impressed with the tall, powerful striker during his stint as Barcelona assistant coach from 2003 to 2006. Urzaiz, a product of the Real Madrid youth scheme, has been Bilbao's principal striker since 1996.