Babel to seal Ajax return

Ajax have agreed a one-year deal with forward Ryan Babel, subject to the player passing a medical. The Netherlands international became a free agent after his contract with Hoffenheim was terminated yesterday, and will return to the club where he began his career. "Ryan wanted to come here and show us that he is a good player," director of football Marc Overmars told the club's website. "Because he was available on a free transfer, not everything has to be completed tonight. We can wrap this up in the next few days so that the player can join us in training after the weekend." Babel's decision to leave Hoffenheim ended a disappointing 18-month spell there, during which he scored just six goals in 51 appearances after joining from Liverpool in January 2011. FIFA