Due to rising tensions in the Middle East between the United States and Iran, USMNT fullback Sergiño Dest requested to leave Ajax's midseason training camp in Qatar due to feeling uncomfortable. The club understood and allowed him to leave.
Dest will train with the club's reserve team until the first team returns.
"Sergiño Dest asked if he could leave the training camp of Ajax in Qatar," per a statement from Ajax, via ESPNFC. "He did not feel comfortable. Ajax understands his request and has responded to it."
The USMNT's annual January training camp was also planned to be in Qatar, though the federation changed course after tensions escalated between the US and Iran.
Dest, a rising talent for club and country, is enjoying a breakout first professional season as the 19-year-old has gone from strength to strength following a stellar U-20 World Cup campaign. This season with Ajax, he has five assists in 14 league appearances and appeared in five of Ajax's six Champions League group stage matches.
Ajax are facing KAS Eupen in a friendly on Thursday. They resume their Eredivisie campaign next weekend against Sparta Rotterdam, as Ajax currently sit first place in the league.
