There's nothing particularly original about claiming that Ajax Amsterdam is one of the best clubs in Europe for player development. According to the Football Observatory, no fewer than 73 players trained by the Dutch institution between the 2005/2006 and 2025 seasons have played for one of the Big Five teams, and no club outside the top five leagues does better. One of the keys to the success of the four-time Champions League winner can be explained in particular by its relationship with other clubs in the region. Casimir Westerveld, Head of Development at Ajax, explains in a report from the heart of the Amsterdam academy: "Collaborating with neighbouring clubs is really interesting for us, especially when they understand that they are lower down the pyramid and that thanks to our knowledge and experience, we can help them in multiple areas." Kevin de Lang, Head of Scouting and Recruitment, adds: "The attractiveness we have with teams in the region is one thing, but we don't just take players. If we don't keep them, we alert the clubs, and they are aware that we advise players to play for them. The knife must cut both ways. It can't be a one-way street." The Ajax model is true virtuous circle.
Brief
Ajax Amsterdam relies on its local network to attract young players with strong potential / © Ajax Amsterdam YouTube Channel