Following what many felt was an average season, Ajax Cape Town have made it clear they intend to open their cheque book.

According to the club official website, Ajax are planning some surprises ahead of the 2012/2013 season in their playing personnel.

The club website reports that a new face at training for the past week has been Koen van de Laak, a Dutch player who played for the Dutch Eredivisie club FC Groningen.

Koen, an attacking midfielder started his professional career at FC Den Bosch in 2000 and moved to FC Groningen in 2005. His move from FC Den Bosch to FC Gronigen was prompted by his ability to score from the midfield and that he was the top goal-scorer at Deb Bosch on more than one occasion.

Van de Laak enjoyed his best season at FC Den Bosch in the 2002/3 season scoring 17 goals in 29 games and he followed this achievement with 16 goals in 34 games in the 2003/4 season

In 2009/2010 Koen was appointed as the captain FC Gronigen, qualifying twice for the UEFA league in his time at the club, a unique achievement in the history of FC Gronigen.

Van de Laak left FC Groningen at the end of the 2011/2012 season, after his contract expired.

Koen represented the Dutch U21 team eight times between 2000 and 2004.

Another interesting spectator at Ajax Cape Town’s training on Wednesday was Lance Davids, an ex-Ajax Cape Town player with Bafana credentials.