Ajax Announces Departure of 13 Youth Players as Club Reshapes Academy

Ajax has confirmed that 13 youth players will depart the club at the end of the current season, following formal evaluations in the club’s youth academy. The decision impacts players across the Under-15 to Under-19 age groups, with the Under-17 squad experiencing the most significant reductions as six players are set to leave.

The announcements were made during individual end-of-season meetings, where players were informed they must seek opportunities elsewhere to continue their development. This restructuring comes as Ajax prepares to merge two age groups into its Under-19 squad for the 2026/2027 season, creating increased competition for limited spots within the academy structure.

Among those departing, Thom Veenbergen, Luka Vieillevoye, Olivier Nieboer, Sam Cuntapay, Damian Gomes Ferreira, and Ghalil Bousnane are leaving the Under-17 squad. Veenbergen joined Ajax from De Graafschap’s youth system three years ago, while Vieillevoye, a former Dutch and Portuguese youth international, played for the Under-17 team this season under special dispensation despite being part of the first-year Under-19 cohort.

The Under-16 group will see four players depart, including Redha Babiker, Jeremayo Levant, Mert Akbuga, and Aymn Badaoui. Badaoui’s departure is noted as stemming from disciplinary reasons, having previously been part of PSV’s youth setup before joining Ajax. The Under-15 squad will lose two players, Quinten Vreeling and Zach Egonu Médrinal, while the Under-19 group will see one player, Nnamdi Koka, depart.

Ajax emphasized that the youth academy remains one of the world’s leading producers of talent for top-tier leagues globally, and that departure from the academy does not preclude a professional career. Players leaving will be able to reference their time at Ajax when pursuing opportunities with other clubs.

The club stated that difficult decisions are sometimes necessary in a high-performance environment, acknowledging that while every academy player dreams of reaching the first team, such opportunities are limited by the competitive nature of elite football development.

Ajax’s youth system continues to be recognized for its ability to develop players who transition successfully to professional football, with many former academy members going on to play in top divisions worldwide. The current restructuring reflects the club’s ongoing efforts to align its academy structure with competitive demands and player development pathways.

The departures mark a significant moment in Ajax’s youth development cycle, as the club integrates the current Under-17 and first-year Under-19 players into a unified Under-19 squad for the upcoming season. This integration necessitates roster adjustments to accommodate the combined age groups within the existing academy framework.

For continued updates on Ajax’s youth academy developments and player movements, fans are encouraged to follow official club communications and trusted sports news sources.