‘I didn’t have to leave’ - Ajax winger explains why he left Man City this summer

Former Manchester City attacker Carlos Borges says he left for Ajax this summer as he wanted to pursue first-team football.

The winger, 19, said staff at the Etihad had wanted him to stay on, feeling as though a breakthrough was close. However, the teenager was not prepared to wait around for his senior debut.

He has instead clocked up 12 first-team appearances so far this season, and scored against Marseille in September’s Europa League meeting. Ajax, though, are experiencing a dire season and sit second-bottom of the Eredivisie having won just one of their nine league games so far.

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Borges was signed by Ajax for £17.2million in August having won two consecutive Premier League 2 titles. He netted 29 goals in youth matches last season, including four against Manchester United.

So when Ajax came knocking, Borges felt it was the right opportunity to move on despite the efforts of City coaching staff. “I didn’t have to leave, but in the summer, clubs came along where I knew I had more prospects,” the Portugal Under-19 international told AD.

“The media made me big, but I didn’t really feel like I was getting many opportunities in Manchester. I didn’t know if that would change this season. Of course, I already knew that Ajax focuses on youth. When I heard the plans, I thought okay, I want to try my luck at this club.

“A number of staff members at Manchester City also wanted to see me make the final step after ten years. Me too, at the club where I grew up, just as it was my parents’ dream. But I concluded that it was even better to take this opportunity.”

The transfer window has been a hectic one and