The defender is unlikely to be a Southampton player next season.
Southampton were one of the clubs chasing the Heerenveen centre-back, Kik Pierie, Calciomercato reported earlier this month.
But any hope Southampton had of signing him immediately appear to be over, after he signed for Ajax on a five-year deal, according to De Telegraaf.
The Dutch newspaper claims Pierie visited Ajax on Thursday – a trip that should have remained a secret.
But while the first-team squad was enjoying a day off, the 18-year-old is said to have been recognised by some of the youth players present.
Pierie has already played 66 senior games for Heerenveen, despite his young age, and will cost Ajax at least €4 million (£3.5 million), according to De Telegraaf.
Southampton have made a number of astute signings from Dutch football in recent years, notably Maya Yoshida, Graziano Pelle and Dusan Tadic (now of Ajax), and it’s likely that Pierie would have been another one.
Would Pierie have been a good addition for Southampton?
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