Veteran defender John Heitinga has signed a one-year deal with former club Ajax, the club announced on Thursday.

Heitinga was out of contract after playing last season in the Bundesliga for Hertha Berlin, and has penned a season-long deal with the option of a further year.

The former Everton defender is a product of Ajax's youth development program, and played 215 matches for the first team before heading overseas, where he has also played for Atletico Madrid and Fulham.