Donny van de Beek prepares to choose Manchester United jersey number as a tribute to a former Ajax teammate



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Donny van de Beek to join Manchester United from Ajax for £ 40.3m

Donny van de Beek to join Manchester United from Ajax for £ 40.3 million (Getty Images)

Donny van de Beek will request Manchester United’s number 34 jersey as a tribute to his former Ajax teammate and close friend Abdelhak ‘Appie’ Nouri, according to reports.

Van de Beek is about to complete a £ 40.3 million move to United after completing his medical exam on Monday.

The 23-year-old had talks with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer last week and the midfielder has now agreed to a long-term contract worth just under £ 110,000 a week.

According to MailOnline, Van de Beek is likely to request the number 34 jersey at United in honor of Nouri.

Nouri played alongside Van de Beek at Ajax but suffered permanent brain damage after collapsing during a friendly against Werder Bremen in July 2017.

The 23-year-old, who wore the Dutch club’s No. 34 jersey, was in a coma for almost three years and is now recovering at home.

Abdelhak Nouri wore number 34 with Ajax

Abdelhak Nouri wore number 34 for Ajax before his career ended (VI Images via Getty Images)

Nouri also supported Van de Beek when the midfielder’s younger brother, Rody, was in hospital with a tumor on his back.

Rody has since recovered, but in a youth team match against PSV, Nouri wore a jersey that had a picture of Van de Beek’s younger brother above the words “strength.”

In an emotional interview about Nouri last year, Van de Beek said: ‘I find it difficult to talk about it, because I keep these things.

Ajax fans paid tribute to Abdelhak Nouri after he collapsed during a friendly (Getty Images)

When I’m sad, I back off. I have never had the need for a psychologist, because my friends and family are enough for me. They are always there for me and listen to me when I need them. I have learned who is always there for me.

Appie was a super happy kid, who didn’t focus on himself, but mainly on the people around him.

“He was good for others, a great player and a great person. When he grew up, he visited prisons to lead young people on the right path and point out their opportunities.

Ajax players paid tribute to Abdelhak Nouri during the title celebrations last year (VI Images via Getty Images)

And it took all the time in the world for people with illnesses and children with disabilities. I will always remember that.

“I thought the most beautiful thing was that he did it out of sight of the cameras and photographers.

When my brother Rody was ill, Appie was also very interested. And she enjoyed taking her little sisters to school, picking them up, and buying gifts for them. She did anything for her sweet family.

I still wonder why it had to happen to him.

Obviously, I don’t want things like that to happen to anyone, but it seems like it always hits good people.

Appie always wanted the best for everyone and he didn’t deserve it at all. It makes me feel helpless and angry. ”

Several players who have also left Ajax, including Justin Kluivert and Joel Veltman, have also worn the number 34 jersey at their new clubs as a tribute to Nouri.

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