Ajax Training Complex
January - Early February 2018
The winter transfer window brought its usual chaos. Agents called constantly, journalists wrote speculation pieces, clubs made inquiries.
Barcelona contacted Sarmale about Andrei's availability. Manchester United increased their interest. Real Madrid—ironically, Ajax's upcoming opponent—made preliminary contact about a summer move.
"Everyone wants you," Sarmale told him during a meeting. "But Ajax won't sell mid-season. You're too important to their Champions League campaign."
"Good. I don't want to leave mid-season anyway."
"What about summer?"
Andrei thought carefully. "One more year at Ajax. Win the Eredivisie, compete in Champions League again, turn twenty. Then move to an elite club where I'll actually play, not sit on a bench."
"Smart. I'll communicate that to interested parties."
But Ajax also acted. They offered Andrei a new contract—improved wages (€30,000 per week, massive for Eredivisie), extended through June 2022, with a release clause of €35 million for foreign clubs.
It was a good offer. Fair for both sides. Andrei signed without hesitation.
New Contract Signed:
Duration: Through June 2022
Wages: €30,000/week (€1.56M annually)
Release Clause: €35M (for non-Dutch clubs)
Impact: Security for Ajax, commitment demonstrated, but pathway to elite club preserved**
The Eredivisie resumed in mid-January. Ajax's schedule was relentless:
January 14: Ajax 4-0 NAC Breda
Andrei: 1 goal, 2 assists
Rating: 8.6/10
January 21: FC Groningen 1-3 Ajax
Andrei: 1 assist
Rating: 7.8/10
January 28: Ajax 2-1 Feyenoord (De Klassieker)
Andrei: Match-winning goal in 87th minute
Rating: 8.9/10
Huge psychological victory over Rotterdam rivals
Updated Eredivisie Standings (After 21 matches):
Ajax - 53 points (+52 GD)
PSV Eindhoven - 50 points (+45 GD)
AZ Alkmaar - 43 points
The title race remained tight. Every match was crucial, every dropped point potentially decisive.
But Andrei's focus was split—half on the Eredivisie, half on the looming Real Madrid matches. The first leg at the Bernabéu was February 13th, less than three weeks away.
Bosz worked the squad meticulously, balancing domestic demands with Champions League preparation. They watched hours of Madrid footage, analyzing patterns, identifying weaknesses.
"They're vulnerable on the counter," Bosz explained during a tactical session. "When Marcelo and Carvajal push high, space opens behind them. Andrei, Hakim—your pace can exploit that."
The plan was similar to PSG and Bayern: defend compactly, absorb pressure, counter ruthlessly when opportunities arose.
But Real Madrid was a different level. They'd won three of the last four Champions Leagues. They had Ronaldo—the most clutch player in the competition's history.
"We can't outplay them technically," Frenkie de Jong observed during a team meeting. "But we can outwork them, outhustle them. Make them uncomfortable."
"Exactly," De Ligt agreed. "They expect teams to roll over. We won't. We'll fight for every ball like our lives depend on it."
The young squad fed off each other's belief. Against all logic, they genuinely thought they could get a result in Madrid.
The Proposal
On February 8th, five days before the Madrid match, Andrei decided it was time.
He'd planned everything carefully with help from Ana (who he'd called secretly to ask for blessing) and surprisingly, Matthijs de Ligt (who'd recently gotten engaged and offered advice).
The plan was simple but meaningful: a private dinner at the restaurant where they'd had their first proper date in Amsterdam, followed by a walk to a specific spot on the canal near their apartment where they'd shared important moments.
Elena suspected nothing. She thought they were just having a nice dinner before the intensity of the Madrid preparations consumed everything.
The restaurant—a cozy French place in Jordaan—was perfect. They talked about everything and nothing: her latest article about Ajax's tactical evolution, his nerves about Madrid, plans for after the season.
After dinner, Andrei suggested a walk despite the February cold. Elena agreed, wrapped in the winter coat he'd bought her for Christmas.
They walked to "their spot"—a quiet section of canal near the Anne Frank House where they'd first said "I love you" nearly a year ago. The water reflected streetlights, the city quiet around them.
"Elena," Andrei began, his heart hammering. "I need to tell you something."
She turned to him, concerned. "Is everything okay?"
"Everything's perfect. That's what I want to say." He took her hands. "A year ago, I was terrified about moving to Amsterdam. Everything was uncertain—new country, new league, new life. But you came with me, supported me, kept me grounded through everything."
"Andrei—"
"Let me finish." He smiled nervously. "You're not just my girlfriend. You're my partner, my foundation, the person who makes me better—not as a footballer, but as a human. And I don't want to imagine a future without you in it."
He knelt down on the cold cobblestones, pulling the ring box from his pocket.
"Elena Dumitru, will you marry me?"
Elena's hands went to her mouth, tears already streaming down her face. For a moment that felt eternal, she said nothing.
Then: "Yes. Yes, of course yes!"
Andrei stood, slipping the ring onto her finger with shaking hands. It fit perfectly.
They kissed on the canal bank, neither caring about the cold, both crying and laughing simultaneously. A passing cyclist rang their bell in congratulation, making them both laugh harder.
"I can't believe you proposed five days before playing Real Madrid," Elena said, examining the ring through tears. "Your timing is terrible."
"I wanted to do it before Madrid. No matter what happens there, I wanted you to know—you're my future. Everything else is just details."
They walked home hand-in-hand, engaged, planning a future together while the present moment crystallized into perfect memory.
Relationship Status: ENGAGED
Impact: Mental stability +0.3, Composure +0.2
Overall Rating: 80.1 → 80.4
Note: Emotional security enhances performance
That night, they called their families. Ana cried happy tears in Iași. Elena's parents (who Andrei had called earlier to ask permission) expressed joy and blessing.
"When will you marry?" Ana asked through tears.
"After the season," Andrei said. "Summer, probably. Small ceremony, just family and close friends."
"Perfect. Your father would love this. He always wanted you to find a good woman. You did."
After the calls, lying in bed with Elena—his fiancée, he was still processing that word—Andrei felt a completeness he'd never experienced.
"Are you nervous about Madrid?" Elena asked softly.
"Terrified. But less so now."
"Why?"
"Because no matter what happens there, I have this. I have you. Football is my passion, but you're my life."
"That's the most romantic thing you've ever said."
"I'm Romanian. We're naturally romantic."
She laughed, kissing him. "Five days until the Bernabéu. Then we can start planning a wedding."
"Deal."
They fell asleep engaged, in love, facing an uncertain future with absolute certainty in each other.