Dennis Bergkamp and Clarence Seedorf among five great Ajax youth products as Kasper Dolberg is later starlet
Eredivisie giants have produced some of European football's best talent — here, we take a look at five of best in recent years
KASPER DOLBERG is one of the hottest prospects in European football.
The 19-year-old Danish international has netted eight goals in 12 appearances this season to top the Eredivisie scoring charts for Ajax — and is already being monitored by the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain.
Dolberg was discovered by Danish scout, John Steen Olsen, who also discovered the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Christian Eriksen and Viktor Fischer — and has tipped his newest find for big things.
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Founded in 1900, the AFC Ajax Youth Academy has produced some greats in its time, implementing a specific style into their youth teams.
This consists of a 4-3-3 formation and has developed into a “TIPS” model, which stands for Technique, Insight, Personality and Speed.
Follwing the rise of young Dolberg, here are five other players that came through Ajax’s impressive youth system.
Dennis Bergkamp
NOW assistant manger at Ajax, Bergkamp has always had that connection with the Dutch side who made him the incredible player he was.
He racked up 185 appearances for the Dutch champions, scoring 103 goals in the process — and won the Uefa Cup in 1992 and was a runner up in the Ballon d'Or standings a year later.
Moving to Arsenal via Inter Milan three years later, Bergkamp became a Premier League great, and has a statue outside the Emirates Stadium.
Clarence Seedorf
NOW managing in the Chinese Super League with Shenzhen, Seedorf is one of the most successful players to graduate from the Ajax academy.
Appearing for the likes of Real Madrid, Inter and AC Milan, the now 40 year-old started his career as a right-sided midfielder before moving inside — and still holds the record for Ajax’s youngest ever player at 16 years and 242 days.
Seedorf is the only player to win the Champions League with three different sides.
Rafael Van Der Vaart
JOINING the Ajax academy at just 10 years old, Van der Vaart spent seven years with the youth team before making his first team debut at 17.
He went onto play for Real Madrid, as well as Spurs and most recently FC Midtjylland.
He was part of the impressive Holland side that were unlucky to lost to Spain in the World Cup final in 2010.
Van der Vaart made 117 appearances for Ajax, scoring 52 goals — and earned over 100 caps for his country.
Wesley Sneijder
CURRENTLY the second highest-capped player by his country and scoring 30 goals in an incredible 126 appearances — Sneijder also sits tenth on the all-time goal scorers list.
He 11 years in the Ajax academy before being promoted to the first team.
Originally signed on trial, Sneijder subsequently impressed and signed on a permanent basis.
Sneijder moved to Real Madrid for £23million and went on to win domestic titles with Los Blancos, Inter and his current side Galatasaray.
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Christian Eriksen
ANOTHER Dane.
Ajax signed Eriksen from Dutch second division side Odense Boldklub (OB) for around £800,000 at the age of 17.
Slotting straight into the youth side, his obvious talents soon shone and was promoted to the first team where he developed in the “No.10” role.
Then 113 appearances and 25 goals later, Tottenham came calling and paid a modest £11 million for his signature.
Eriksen is now plying his trade with the North London side — and scored his 25th goal for Spurs in the defeat to Chelsea.