THE HAGUE, April 3 (Xinhua) -- Davy Klaassen extended his contract at Ajax to mid-2018, the Amsterdam based club announced on Thursday.

The former contract of Klaassen expired in the middle of 2016 and the new better deal now started retrospective on January 1 this year. The 21-year-old midfielder debuted in the first team of Ajax in November 2011, but a knee injury stopped his development last season.

This season Klaassen captured a regular starting spot and became one of the driving forces behind the success of the current league leaders. He scored nine goals in 22 league matches this season. In March this year Klaassen debuted as Dutch international against France in Paris (2-0 loss).

On Monday Ajax also announced the prolongation of another talent, the 22-year-old defender Joel Veltman. He also signed until the middle of 2018. His previous agreement expired in 2017.