Smits debuted at the age of 17 in the Women’s Eredivisie at FC Twente. After two seasons at the club from Enschede, Smits signed at PSV in 2019. The eight -time international became top scorer in the Netherlands three times in a row and then left for VFL Wolfsburg. In the summer of 2022 she returned to Eindhoven where she again played for PSV for the past three seasons.
“We are happy that we can present Joëlle as the latest acquisition today,” says technical director Alex Kroes. “She has the necessary experience at the top level and her arrival gives our selection a positive boost. Joëlle is technically very skilled and she is an avid goal scorer.”
New head coach
Anouk Bruil started her career as a coach in 2014 with the promise team of SC Heerenveen. After two seasons, she became an assistant trainer with the first team of women in Friesland. Five years later, Bruil started working for Ajax Women, where she became an assistant trainer. For the past three years, Bruil was in charge of the Talent Team O19.
Bruil is looking forward to her new position. “I didn’t have to think long when I was asked if I wanted to be the head coach of the first. Of course I have become well known in recent years with the club, the players and other staff members. And I think this helps to get started together to develop the selection and thereby help the club forward,” said Bruil.
Bruil technical director Alex Kroes calls Bruil “a talented and inspired trainer with an enormous amount of dedication.” “She is well familiar with the players’ group, other staff members and the overall culture within the club. In recent years she has shown that she is advocating a certain game type that corresponds to Ajax’s. An important pillar in this is the development of talent. We are confident that Anouk can bring our team further,” said Kroes.
