Ryan Babel returning to Ajax

Ajax says it has agreed to sign winger Ryan Babel - who started his playing career at the Amsterdam club - on a one-year contract.

The club says Babel, who has been released by Hoffenheim, will sign his contract once the former Liverpool midfielder has completed a medical.

Ajax director of football Marc Overmars said Friday that Babel wanted to return to the club he played 111 matches for after making his debut in 2004 ''to prove he's a good player.''

Overmars says the contract does not have to be signed by the midnight end of the transfer window because Babel is a free agent.