The Ajax Youth Academy (Dutch: ''Ajax Jeugdopleiding'') is a

football Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kicking a ball to score a goal. Unqualified, the word ''football'' normally means the form of football that is the most popular where the word is used. Sports commonly c ...

youth academy based in

Amsterdam Amsterdam ( , , , lit. ''The Dam on the River Amstel'') is the Capital of the Netherlands, capital and Municipalities of the Netherlands, most populous city of the Netherlands, with The Hague being the seat of government. It has a population ...

Netherlands ) , anthem = ( en, "William of Nassau") , image_map = , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Kingdom of the Netherlands , established_title = Before independence , established_date = Spanish Netherl ...

, from where the organization manages a total of 13 youth teams (ages 7–18). The academy is the primary youth clinic of Dutch football team Ajax Amsterdam. The club depends heavily on the youth academy as they move promising youngsters from the youth teams to the senior team where they can showcase their talent and develop into stars. On 11 September 2020, the

CIES The International Centre for Sports Studies, known mostly by the initials CIES from the French ''Centre International d'Etude du Sport'', is an independent, research and education organization, located in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. It had a resea ...

released their annual rankings of the clubs having trained the most players active in 31 top divisions of

UEFA Union of European Football Associations (UEFA ; french: Union des associations européennes de football; german: Union der europäischen Fußballverbände) is one of six continental bodies of governance in association football. It governs f ...

member associations. The Ajax Youth Academy came in 2nd place to the

FK Partizan Academy The FK Partizan Youth School (/Омладинска школа фудбалског клуба Партизан), also known as Belin–Lazarević–Nadoveza youth school, is the youth school for Serbian football club Partizan Belgrade. It was fo ...

from Serbia with 77 players footballers trained, while the Serbian side topped the list with 85 footballers trained. In accordance with the UEFA definition, players who were considered have been playing for the club for at least three seasons between 15 and 21 years of age.

History

The Ajax youth system is famous fo
having produced
and still producing many great Dutch internationals like

Sjaak Swart Jesaia Swart (born 3 July 1938), commonly known as Sjaak Swart, is a Dutch former professional footballer who played as a winger for Ajax. During his career at Ajax, he amassed a total of almost 600 matches, a record for the club. Biography Swa ...

Johan Cruijff Hendrik Johannes Cruijff (, internationally known as Johan Cruyff; 25 April 1947 – 24 March 2016) was a Dutch professional football player and manager. As a player, he won the Ballon d'Or three times, in 1971, 1973 and 1974. Cruyff was a pr ...

Frank Rijkaard Franklin Edmundo Rijkaard (; born 30 September 1962) is a Dutch former footballer and former manager who played as a defensive midfielder. Rijkaard played for Ajax, Real Zaragoza and AC Milan and represented the Netherlands national team side ...

, Dennis Bergkamp,

Frank Frank or Franks may refer to: People * Frank (given name) * Frank (surname) * Franks (surname) * Franks, a medieval Germanic people * Frank, a term in the Muslim world for all western Europeans, particularly during the Crusades - see Farang Curr ...

and

Ronald de Boer Ronaldus de Boer (; born 15 May 1970) is a Dutch former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He played for the Netherlands national team as well as a host of professional clubs in Europe. He is the twin brother of Frank de Boe ...

Edgar Davids Edgar Steven Davids (; born 13 March 1973) is a Dutch-Surinamese former professional footballer and current coach. After beginning his career with Ajax, winning several domestic and international titles, he subsequently played in Italy for AC Mi ...

Clarence Seedorf Clarence Clyde Seedorf (; born 1 April 1976) is a Dutch professional football manager and former player. He is regarded by many to be one of the best midfielders of his generation. Seedorf is considered one of the most successful players in UE ...

Patrick Kluivert Patrick Stephan Kluivert (; born 1 July 1976) is a Dutch former football player, coach and sporting director. He played as a striker, most notably for AFC Ajax, FC Barcelona and the Netherlands national team. He was part of Ajax's Golden Gen ...

Rafael van der Vaart Rafael Ferdinand van der Vaart (born 11 February 1983) is a Dutch former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder, and is currently the assistant manager of Danish 2nd Division club Esbjerg fB. Van der Vaart began his c ...

Wesley Sneijder Wesley Sneijder (; born 9 June 1984) is a Dutch retired professional footballer. Due to his elite playmaking ability, Sneijder was considered one of the best midfielders in the world during his prime. A product of the Ajax Youth Academy, he st ...

John Heitinga John Gijsbert Alan "Johnny" Heitinga (born 15 November 1983) is a Dutch football coach and a former player who played as a centre back. He manages Jong Ajax, the reserves team of AFC Ajax. A product of the Ajax Youth Academy, he played for their ...

Nigel de Jong Nigel de Jong (born 30 November 1984) is a Dutch former professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder. He is currently the technical director of the KNVB, the national Dutch soccer federation. he has also worked as an English lang ...

Maarten Stekelenburg Maarten Stekelenburg (; born 22 September 1982) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Eredivisie club Ajax. Stekelenburg began his career at Ajax, playing 282 matches over nine seasons in his first spell there and win ...

, and

Gregory van der Wiel Gregory Kurtley van der Wiel (born 3 February 1988) is a Dutch former footballer who played as a right-back. Born in Amsterdam, Van der Wiel is a product of the AFC Ajax youth system. In 2010, he was awarded the Johan Cruyff Award for " Young ...

Notable former players

1900-1970s *

Bobby Haarms Bobby Haarms (8 March 1934 – 6 June 2009) was a Dutch professional football player and coach. Career Playing career Haarms joined the youth team of Ajax in 1947 and made his professional debut in 1952. Between 1952 and 1960, Haarms made 58 app ...

Barry Hulshoff Bernardus Adriaan “Barry” Hulshoff (30 September 1946 – 16 February 2020) was a Dutch footballer who played for Ajax Amsterdam and was part of their European Cup victories in 1971, 1972 and 1973. He earned 14 caps for the Netherlands na ...

Piet Keizer Petrus Johannes "Piet" Keizer (14 June 1943 – 10 February 2017) was a Dutch professional footballer who played as a left winger. As part of the " Total Football" Ajax Amsterdam team of the 1960s and 1970s, Keizer was particularly notable duri ...

Ruud Krol Rudolf ("Ruud" or "Rudi") Jozef Krol (; born 24 March 1949) is a Dutch former professional footballer who was capped 83 times for the Netherlands national team. Most of his career he played for his home town club, Ajax, and he became a coach a ...

Rinus Michels Marinus Jacobus Hendricus Michels (; 9 February 1928 – 3 March 2005) was a Dutch football player and coach. He played his entire career for AFC Ajax, which he later managed, and played for and later managed the Netherlands national team ...

Johnny Rep John Nicholaas Rep (born 25 November 1951) is a Dutch former professional footballer who played as a right winger. He holds the all-time record for FIFA World Cup goals for the Netherlands with 7. Playing career Rep played as a right-footed ...

Wim Suurbier Wilhelmus Lourens Johannes Suurbier () (16 January 1945 – 12 July 2020) was a Dutch professional footballer and among others assistant coach of the Albania national team. He played as a right back and was part of the Netherlands national te ...

1980s *

Marco van Basten Marcel "Marco" van Basten (; born 31 October 1964) is a Dutch football manager and retired professional player, who played for Ajax and AC Milan, as well as the Netherlands national team, as a striker. Widely regarded as one of the greatest pl ...

John Bosman Johannes "John" Jacobus Bosman (born 1 February 1965) is a Dutch former professional footballer who played as a striker. A prolific goalscorer for both club and country, he played professionally for 19 years, most notably with Ajax (five sea ...

Frank de Boer Franciscus de Boer (; born 15 May 1970) is a Dutch football manager who was most recently the head coach of the Netherlands national team. A former defender, De Boer spent most of his professional playing career with Ajax, winning five Eredi ...

John van 't Schip Johannes Nicolaas van 't Schip (; born 30 December 1963) is a Dutch Canadian and former Dutch international footballer, who played as a winger. He spent his club career with Ajax, where they won four Eredivisie titles, a UEFA Cup and a Europe ...

* Aron Winter *

Richard Witschge Richard Peter Witschge (born 20 September 1969) is a Dutch former footballer who played as a midfielder. He was known for his technique and passing ability. In an 18-year professional career he played mainly for Ajax, but also represented, among ...

1990s * Dennis Bergkamp *

Andy van der Meyde Andy van der Meijde, anglicised to van der Meyde (; born 30 September 1979) is a Dutch former professional footballer who played as a winger. After making a name for himself at Ajax, he went on to represent Inter Milan and Everton, his spel ...

Michael Reiziger Michael John Reiziger (, born 3 May 1973) is a Dutch former professional footballer who played mainly as a right back, currently the assistant manager of AFC Ajax. After making a name for himself at Ajax, with whom he won one Champions League ...

Edwin van der Sar Edwin van der Sar (; born 29 October 1970) is a Dutch football executive and former professional player who is currently the chief executive of AFC Ajax, with whom he began his senior playing career in the early 1990s; he is considered to be a m ...

2000s *

Toby Alderweireld Toby Albertine Maurits Alderweireld (; born 2 March 1989) is a Belgian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back or right-back for Belgian Pro League club Royal Antwerp. Alderweireld began his professional career at Dutch club Ajax, whe ...

Ryan Babel Ryan may refer to: People and fictional characters *Ryan (given name), a given name (including a list of people with the name) *Ryan (surname), a surname (including a list of people with the name) Places Australia * Division of Ryan, an elector ...

Daley Blind Daley Blind (; born 9 March 1990) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder, left-back or centre-back for Bundesliga club Bayern Munich and the Netherlands national team. He is the son of former Ajax defender and fo ...

Thomas Vermaelen Thomas Vermaelen (born 14 November 1985) is a retired Belgian professional footballer who is currently an assistant coach for the Belgium national team. Being left-footed, he usually played as a left-sided centre-back and could play at left-bac ...

Jan Vertonghen Jan Bert Lieve Vertonghen (born 24 April 1987) is a Belgian professional footballer who plays for Belgian club Anderlecht and the Belgium national team. Mainly a central defender, he can also play as a left-back. Vertonghen began his senior car ...

2010s *

Donny van de Beek Donny van de Beek (; born 18 April 1997) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Premier League club Manchester United and the Netherlands national team. He joined the Ajax academy in 2008. In 2015, Van de Beek made ...

Sergiño Dest Sergiño Gianni Dest (born November 3, 2000) is a professional soccer player who plays as a full-back for club AC Milan, on loan from Barcelona. Born in the Netherlands to a Dutch mother and Surinamese-American father, he represents the Unit ...

Christian Eriksen Christian Dannemann Eriksen (born 14 February 1992) is a Danish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Premier League club Manchester United and the Denmark national team. He is renowned for his vision, technique, passing, and fr ...

Davy Klaassen Davy Klaassen (born 21 February 1993) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Eredivisie club Ajax and the Netherlands national team. Club career Early career Klaassen began his football career in the youth ranks of l ...

Justin Kluivert Justin Dean Kluivert (born 5 May 1999) is a Dutch professional Association football, footballer who plays as a Midfielder#Winger, winger for La Liga club Valencia CF, Valencia, on loan from Serie A club A.S. Roma, Roma. He also represents the Net ...

Matthijs de Ligt Matthijs de Ligt (born 12 August 1999) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for club Bayern Munich and the Netherlands national team. De Ligt made his debut for Ajax's senior team in September 2016 in a cup game again ...

Ryan Gravenberch Ryan Jiro Gravenberch (born 16 May 2002) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Bundesliga club Bayern Munich and the Netherlands national team. Club career Ajax Gravenberch joined the Ajax Youth Academy in 2010, and wo ...

Noussair Mazraoui Noussair Mazraoui ( ar, نُصَيْر مَزرَاوِيّ; born 14 November 1997) is a professional footballer who plays as a full-back for Bundesliga club Bayern Munich. Born in the Netherlands, he represents Morocco at international level ...

Abdelhak Nouri Abdelhak "Appie" Nouri (born 2 April 1997) is a Dutch former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He operated primarily as an attacking midfielder, but could also be deployed as a winger. A youth product of Eredivisie club Aja ...

2020s *

Jurriën Timber Jurriën David Norman Timber (; born 17 June 2001) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a defender for club Arsenal and the Netherlands national team. Mainly a centre-back, he can also play as a right-back. Timber joined Ajax's you ...

Ajax Online Academy

Central is the style of play (4-3-3, with goalkeeper), training, behavior and house rules. Ajax has developed the so-called TIPS model, which stands for Technique, Insight, Personality and Speed. For each part there are ten criteria. P and S are generally innate properties, but I and T can always be developed further. Ajax coaching sessions always consists of 8 important football ingredients. Together with TIPS, they form the core to the Ajax success philosophy. 1. Coordination training 2. Kicking, Passing and Throw-in 3. Moves to beat an opponent 4. Heading 5. Finishing 6. Position play 7. Position Game play 8. Small sided games

Teams

Board and staff

Current staff

Chairman * Frank Eijken Head coach *

Alfred Schreuder Alfred Schreuder (; born 2 November 1972) is a Dutch football coach, currently as head coach of Ajax. Club career During his career, Schreuder played for RKC Waalwijk, NAC Breda, Feyenoord, FC Twente and Vitesse. After he had stopped playing ...

Technical director (''upper-level A-C'') * Saïd Ouaali Technical director (''mid-level A-C'') * Patrick Ladru Technical director (''lower-level D-F'') * Michel Hordijk

List of technical directors

Facilities

Sportcomplex De Toekomst

Sportcomplex De Toekomst is the training grounds of

AFC Ajax Amsterdamsche Football Club Ajax (), also known as AFC Ajax, Ajax Amsterdam, or simply Ajax, is a Dutch professional football club based in Amsterdam, that plays in the , the top tier in Dutch football. Historically, Ajax (named after the l ...

, with a capacity of 5,000 it serves as home grounds for the reserves team

Jong Ajax Jong Ajax () (''English: Young Ajax''), also referred to as Ajax II or Ajax 2 is a Dutch association football team, the reserve team of Ajax. It is based in Amsterdam and competes in the Dutch Eerste Divisie. History Jong Ajax (''formerly more ...

, its women's team Ajax Vrouwen, its amateur team Ajax Zaterdag as well as for the full youth system. The entire complex consists of seven fields and a trainings center.

adidas miCoach Performance Centre

Established in 2011, the adidas MiCoach Performance Centre is situated on Sportpark De Toekomst. Built by Poly-Ned, it teaches football innovation and training methods and is used by both the first team, as well as the youth teams. Here the players are trained in a scientific manner based on motion analytics to enhance speed, distance, dribbling, heading and shooting. On 28 October 2013 the ceiling of the main hall of the facility had collapsed, which the club in turn had to have rebuilt.adidas-hal op de Toekomst ingezakt
ajax.nl, 28 October 2013

Honours

National titles

*A-junioren Eredivisie : 13 :: 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1997–98, 2001–02, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2013–14 *A-junioren Eerste Divisie : 4 :: 2004–05, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11 *B-junioren Eredivisie : 4 :: 2002–03, 2007–08, 2009–10, 2011–12 *B-junioren Eerste Divisie : 1 :: 2006–07 *C-junioren Algeheel landskampioen : 1 :: 2011–12 *C-junioren Eerste Divisie : 2 :: 2008–09, 2011–12 *C 2 kampioen : 2 :: 2009–10, 2011–12 *D-junioren Algeheel landskampioen : 1 :: 2011–12 *D-junioren Eerste Divisie : 7 :: 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2010–11, 2011–12 *D 2 District West 1 kampioen : 4 :: 2004–05, 2005–06, 2009–10, 2010–11 *D 3 kampioen : 1 :: 2009–10 *E 1 kampioen : 1 :: 2004–05 *E 2 kampioen : 2 :: 2009–10, 2010–11 *E 3 kampioen : 1 :: 2009–10 *F 1 kampioen : 2 :: 2009–10, 2010–11

National cups

*A-junioren Cup : 1 :: 2009–10 *B-junioren Cup : 2 :: 2008–09, 2012–13 *D-junioren Cup : 1 :: 2012–13 *F-pupillen District Cup : 1 :: 2009–10

Dutch Super Cup

*A-junioren Supercup : 4 :: 2005, 2006, 2011, 2014 *B-junioren Supercup : 2 :: 2009, 2012 *C-junioren Supercup : 2 :: 2012, 2014 *D-junioren Supercup : 1 :: 2010

References

External links

Official site

The academy spotlight: Ajax and Barcelona
– ''These Football Times'' (2015) {{AFC Ajax

Youth Youth is the time of life when one is young. The word, youth, can also mean the time between childhood and adulthood ( maturity), but it can also refer to one's peak, in terms of health or the period of life known as being a young adult. You ...

Football academies in the Netherlands UEFA Youth League teams NextGen series