Ajax have agreed to terminate the contract of club captain Dusan Tadic with immediate effect.
The 34-year-old's deal at the Dutch giants had been due to run until next summer, but he requested to leave early due to alleged concerns over the direction of the club.
Ajax have now reluctantly granted that request to make Tadic a free agent, ending his five-year stay in Amsterdam.
"The decision to leave the club has been a very hard one to make. However, I believe this is the right moment," Tadic told the club's official website.
"I think it's right for not only me but also the club to make a new start. The time I have had at Ajax and the successes we have celebrated give me an indescribable feeling that I have never experienced in my career before.
"I would like to thank all the fans for the wonderful time I have had here. If it's up to me, this is not a final goodbye. I will forever be an Ajax player and hope to return to Amsterdam soon, in a different role as coach."
MVP. Captain. Legend.
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) July 14, 2023
Dusan Tadic ♥️
Director of football Sven Mislintat added: "Dusan told us he wanted to terminate his contract in Amsterdam. Since his arrival in 2018, he has shown how important he is to the team and how he is a true leader, both on and off the pitch.
"Last season, his statistics were incredible and he has not missed a single Eredivisie match since his transfer to Amsterdam. The fact that he's leaving is an incredible loss for Maurice Steijn and his staff.
"We would have loved to keep him but we respect his request and wish him all the best for the rest of his career. Ajax have been in contact with him regarding the next step in his career when it comes to coaching, and we have let him know that he will always be welcome."
Tadic leaves Ajax having made 241 appearances across all competitions, scoring 105 goals and creating a further 112 for his teammates.
During that time, the Serbia international won three Eredivisie titles and two KNVB-Bekers, as well as being named Ajax's Player of the Year and Dutch Footballer of the Year for 2020-21.
Barney Corkhill
