Ajax gives Onana second chance after doping ban

Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana returned to first-team training on Thursday with his club Ajax.

Ajax say the move comes after veteran keeper Maarten Stekelenburg was ruled out for the rest of the season with injury.

Contract talks between Onana, 25, and Ajax broke down in September and he appeared set to leave at the end of the season.

“Ajax’s needs are paramount,” sporting director Marc Overmars told the club website when explaining the apparent change of heart.

Onana has missed almost the whole of 2021 after being banned for a doping violation by Uefa, but is free to play again from 4 November.

Ajax supported him in appealing the ban and Onana’s suspension was subsequently reduced to nine months. But he was then placed in the junior squad after his ban on training was lifted on 4 September as relations with the Dutch club strained.

The injury to Stekelenburg has now paved the way for Onana to return.