Ajax is historically one of the most successful clubs in the world; according to the IFFHS, Ajax were the seventh most successful European club of the 20th century.[1] The club is one of the five teams that has earned the right to keep the European Cup and to wear a multiple-winner badge; they won consecutively in 1971–1973. In 1972, they completed the European treble by winning the Dutch Eredivisie, KNVB Cup, and the European Cup; to date, they are the only team to keep the European Cup and accomplish the European treble. Ajax's last international trophies were the 1995 Intercontinental Cup and the 1995 Champions League, where they defeated Milan in the final; they lost the 1996 Champions League final on penalties to Juventus.
This list includes notable footballers who have played for Ajax Amsterdam.
Name |
Nationality |
Position |
AFC Ajax career |
Captaincy |
Notes |
Alderweireld, TobyToby Alderweireld |
Belgium |
Defender |
2008-present |
0— |
|
Anderiesen, WimWim Anderiesen |
Netherlands |
Midfielder |
1925–1940 |
0— |
|
Anita, VurnonVurnon Anita |
Netherlands |
Midfielder |
2005–present |
0— |
|
Arnesen, FrankFrank Arnesen |
Denmark |
Midfielder |
1975–1981 |
1980-1981 |
|
Arveladze, ShotaShota Arveladze |
Georgia |
Forward |
1997–2001 |
0— |
|
Babangida, TijaniTijani Babangida |
Nigeria |
Forward |
1996-2003 |
0— |
[B] |
Babel, RyanRyan Babel |
Netherlands |
Forward |
2004–2007 |
0— |
|
Basten, Marco vanMarco van Basten |
Netherlands |
Forward |
1982–1987 |
0— |
[A] |
Bergdølmo, AndréAndré Bergdølmo |
Norway |
Defender |
2000–2003 |
0— |
|
Bergkamp, DennisDennis Bergkamp |
Netherlands |
Forward |
1986–1993 |
0— |
[A] |
Blankenburg, HorstHorst Blankenburg |
Germany |
Defender |
1970–1975 |
0— |
|
Blind, DannyDanny Blind |
Netherlands |
Defender |
1986–1999 |
0— |
[A] |
Boer, Frank deFrank de Boer |
Netherlands |
Defender |
1988-1998 |
0— |
[A] |
Boer, Ronald deRonald de Boer |
Netherlands |
Midfielder |
1987-1991; 1993–1998 |
0— |
|
Bosman, JohnJohn Bosman |
Netherlands |
Forward |
1983–1988 |
0— |
|
Boukhari, NourdinNourdin Boukhari |
Morocco |
Forward |
2002–2006 |
0— |
[C] |
Charisteas, AngelosAngelos Charisteas |
Greece |
Forward |
2005–2006 |
0— |
|
Chivu, CristianCristian Chivu |
Romania |
Defender |
1999–2003 |
0— |
|
Cruijff, JohanJohan Cruijff |
Netherlands |
Midfielder |
1964–1973; 1981-1983 |
0— |
[A] |
Davids, EdgarEdgar Davids |
Netherlands |
Midfielder |
1992-1996; 2007-2008 |
0— |
|
Diepenbeek, Jan vanJan van Diepenbeek |
Netherlands |
Defender |
1929-1938 |
0— |
|
Dijk, Dick vanDick van Dijk |
Netherlands |
Forward |
1969-1972 |
0— |
|
Emanuelson, UrbyUrby Emanuelson |
Netherlands |
Midfielder |
2004–2011 |
0— |
|
Enoh, EyongEyong Enoh |
Cameroon |
Midfielder |
2008-present |
0— |
|
Eriksen, ChristianChristian Eriksen |
Denmark |
Midfielder |
2010-present |
0— |
|
Galásek, TomášTomáš Galásek |
Czech Republic |
Midfielder |
2000–2006 |
0— |
|
Garcia, GabriGabri Garcia |
Spain |
Midfielder |
2006–2010 |
0— |
|
Geels, RuudRuud Geels |
Netherlands |
Forward |
1974–1978 |
0— |
|
George, FinidiFinidi George |
Nigeria |
Forward |
1993-1996 |
0— |
|
Grønkjær, JesperJesper Grønkjær |
Denmark |
Forward |
1998–2000 |
0— |
|
Groot, HenkHenk Groot |
Netherlands |
Forward |
1959-1963; 1965-1969 |
0— |
|
Grygera, ZdeněkZdeněk Grygera |
Czech Republic |
Defender |
2003-2007 |
0— |
|
Haan, ArieArie Haan |
Netherlands |
Midfielder |
1969-1975 |
0— |
|
Haarms, BobbyBobby Haarms |
Netherlands |
Midfielder |
1952-1960 |
0— |
[A] |
Hamdaoui, Mounir ElMounir El Hamdaoui |
Morocco |
Forward |
2010-present |
0— |
|
Hamel, EddyEddy Hamel |
United States |
Forward |
1922–1930 |
0— |
|
Heitinga, JohnJohn Heitinga |
Netherlands |
Defender |
2001–2008 |
0— |
|
Hoekstra, PeterPeter Hoekstra |
Netherlands |
Forward |
1996–2001 |
0— |
|
Huntelaar, Klaas-JanKlaas-Jan Huntelaar |
Netherlands |
Forward |
2005–2009 |
2008-2009 |
|
Ibrahimovic, ZlatanZlatan Ibrahimovic |
Sweden |
Forward |
2001–2004 |
0— |
|
Ikedia, PiusPius Ikedia |
Nigeria |
Forward |
1999–2005 |
0— |
[D] |
Janssen, TheoTheo Janssen |
Netherlands |
Midfielder |
2011–present |
0— |
|
Jensen, HenningHenning Jensen |
Denmark |
Forward |
1979-1981 |
0— |
|
Jong, Nigel deNigel de Jong |
Netherlands |
Midfielder |
2002–2006 |
0— |
|
Jong, Siem deSiem de Jong |
Netherlands |
Midfielder |
2007–present |
0— |
|
Jonk, WimWim Jonk |
Netherlands |
Midfielder |
1988–1993 |
0— |
|
Kanu, NwankwoNwankwo Kanu |
Nigeria |
Forward |
1993–1996 |
0— |
|
Keizer, PietPiet Keizer |
Netherlands |
Forward |
1960–1975 |
0— |
|
Kluivert, PatrickPatrick Kluivert |
Netherlands |
Forward |
1994–1997 |
0— |
|
Koeman, RonaldRonald Koeman |
Netherlands |
Midfielder |
1983–1986 |
0— |
[A] |
Kol, Dolf vanDolf van Kol |
Netherlands |
Defender |
1924–1932 |
0— |
[A] |
Krol, Ruud Ruud Krol |
Netherlands |
Defender |
1968-1980 |
0— |
|
La Ling, TschenTschen La Ling |
Netherlands |
Forward |
1975–1982 |
0— |
|
Larsson, PeterPeter Larsson |
Sweden |
Defender |
1987–1991 |
0— |
|
Laudrup, BrianBrian Laudrup |
Denmark |
Midfielder |
1999-2000 |
0— |
|
Laudrup, MichaelMichael Laudrup |
Denmark |
Midfielder |
1997–1998 |
0— |
|
Lerby, SørenSøren Lerby |
Denmark |
Midfielder |
1975–1983 |
1981-1983 |
|
Litmanen, JariJari Litmanen |
Finland |
Forward |
1992-1999; 2002-2004 |
0— |
|
Lobonţ, BogdanBogdan Lobonţ |
Romania |
Goalkeeper |
2000–2006 |
0— |
[E] |
Lodeiro, NicolásNicolás Lodeiro |
Uruguay |
Midfielder |
2010–present |
0— |
|
Machlas, NikosNikos Machlas |
Greece |
Forward |
1999-2003 |
0— |
[F] |
Maduro, HedwigesHedwiges Maduro |
Netherlands |
Defender |
2003-2008 |
0— |
|
Manucharyan, EdgarEdgar Manucharyan |
Armenia |
Forward |
2005-2010 |
0— |
[G] |
Maxwell, Maxwell |
Brazil |
Defender |
2001–2006 |
0— |
|
McCarthy, BenniBenni McCarthy |
South Africa |
Forward |
1997–1999 |
0— |
|
Menzo, StanleyStanley Menzo |
Netherlands |
Goalkeeper |
1983–1994; 1999-2000 |
0— |
[H] |
Michels, RinusRinus Michels |
Netherlands |
Forward |
1965–1971; 1975-1976 |
0— |
[A] |
Mido, Mido |
Egypt |
Forward |
2001–2003; 2010 |
0— |
[I] |
Mølby, JanJan Mølby |
Denmark |
Midfielder |
1982–1984 |
0— |
|
Mühren, ArnoldArnold Mühren |
Netherlands |
Midfielder |
1971-1974; 1985-1989 |
0— |
[A] |
Muller, BennieBennie Muller |
Netherlands |
Midfielder |
1958-1970 |
0— |
|
Natris, Jan deJan de Natris |
Netherlands |
Forward |
1914-1921; 1923-1925 |
0— |
|
Neeskens, JohanJohan Neeskens |
Netherlands |
Midfielder |
1970–1974 |
0— |
|
O'Brien, JohnJohn O'Brien |
United States |
Midfielder |
1998–2005 |
0— |
[J] |
Oliseh, SundaySunday Oliseh |
Nigeria |
Midfielder |
1997–1999 |
0— |
|
Olsen, JesperJesper Olsen |
Denmark |
Forward |
1981–1984 |
0— |
|
Overmars, MarcMarc Overmars |
Netherlands |
Forward |
1992–1997 |
0— |
|
Pasanen, PetriPetri Pasanen |
Finland |
Defender |
2000–2004 |
0— |
[K] |
Pantelić, MarkoMarko Pantelić |
Serbia |
Forward |
2009-2010 |
0— |
|
Pettersson, StefanStefan Pettersson |
Sweden |
Forward |
1988–1994 |
0— |
|
Pienaar, StevenSteven Pienaar |
South Africa |
Midfielder |
2001–2006 |
0— |
|
Reiziger, MichaelMichael Reiziger |
Netherlands |
Defender |
1990–1996 |
0— |
[L] |
Rep, JohnnyJohnny Rep |
Netherlands |
Forward |
1971–1975 |
0— |
|
Rijkaard, FrankFrank Rijkaard |
Netherlands |
Midfielder |
1980–1987; 1993-1995 |
0— |
|
Rommedahl, DennisDennis Rommedahl |
Denmark |
Forward |
2007-2010 |
0— |
[M] |
Rosenberg, MarkusMarkus Rosenberg |
Sweden |
Forward |
2005-2007 |
0— |
|
Roy, BryanBryan Roy |
Netherlands |
Forward |
1988–1992 |
0— |
[A] |
Sar, Edwin van derEdwin van der Sar |
Netherlands |
Goalkeeper |
1990–1999 |
0— |
|
Schip, John van 'tJohn van 't Schip |
Netherlands |
Forward |
1981–1992 |
0— |
[A] |
Schoenaker, DickDick Schoenaker |
Netherlands |
Midfielder |
1976–1985 |
1983-1985 |
|
Schrijvers, PietPiet Schrijvers |
Netherlands |
Goalkeeper |
1974-1983 |
0— |
|
Seedorf, ClarenceClarence Seedorf |
Netherlands |
Midfielder |
1992-1995 |
0— |
|
Sneijder, WesleyWesley Sneijder |
Netherlands |
Midfielder |
2002–2007 |
0— |
|
Stam, JaapJaap Stam |
Netherlands |
Defender |
2006–2007 |
2006-2007 |
|
Stekelenburg, MaartenMaarten Stekelenburg |
Netherlands |
Goalkeeper |
2002–2011 |
2011 |
|
Suárez, LuisLuis Suárez |
Uruguay |
Forward |
2007–2011 |
2009-2011 |
|
Sulejmani, MiralemMiralem Sulejmani |
Serbia |
Forward |
2008–present |
0— |
|
Swart, SjaakSjaak Swart |
Netherlands |
Forward |
1956–1973 |
0— |
|
Suurbier, WimWim Suurbier |
Netherlands |
Defender |
1964-1977 |
0— |
|
Trabelsi, HatemHatem Trabelsi |
Tunisia |
Defender |
2001-2006 |
0— |
|
Vaart, Rafael van derRafael van der Vaart |
Netherlands |
Midfielder |
2000–2005 |
2004-2005 |
|
Vanenburg, GeraldGerald Vanenburg |
Netherlands |
Midfielder |
1980–1986 |
0— |
|
Vasović, VeliborVelibor Vasović |
Serbia |
Defender |
1966-1971 |
1970-1971 |
|
Vermaelen, ThomasThomas Vermaelen |
Belgium |
Defender |
2003–2009 |
2009 |
[N] |
Vertonghen, JanJan Vertonghen |
Belgium |
Defender |
2006–present |
2011-present |
[O] |
Volkers, WimWim Volkers |
Netherlands |
Forward |
1923–1936 |
0— |
[A] |
Vossen, Peter vanPeter van Vossen |
Netherlands |
Forward |
1993–1995 |
0— |
|
Wamberto, Wamberto |
Brazil |
Forward |
1998–2004 |
0— |
[P] |
Wiel, Gregory van derGregory van der Wiel |
Netherlands |
Defender |
2007–present |
0— |
|
Winter, AronAron Winter |
Netherlands |
Midfielder |
1986-1992; 1999-2003 |
0— |
[A][Q] |
Witschge, RichardRichard Witschge |
Netherlands |
Midfielder |
1986–1991; 1996-2003 |
0— |
[R] |
Wouters, JanJan Wouters |
Netherlands |
Midfielder |
1986–1992 |
0— |
[A] |
Zeeuw, Demy deDemy de Zeeuw |
Netherlands |
Midfielder |
2009–2011 |
0— |
|
A. a b c d e Player who later managed the club.
B. ^ Tijani Babangida played for Gençlerbirliği on loan from 2000-2001, Vitesse from 2001-2002 and for Al-Ittihad from 2002-2003, before leaving Ajax definitely that same year.
C. ^ Nourdin Boukhari played for NAC Breda on loan from 2003-2004, before leaving Ajax in 2006.
D. ^ Pius Ikedia played for FC Groningen on loan from 2002-2003, and RBC Roosendaal on loan from 2003-2005, before leaving Ajax that same year.
E. ^ Bogdan Lobonţ played for Dinamo București on a loan from 2001-2002, returning to Ajax before leaving the club in 2006.
F. ^ Nikos Machlas played for Sevilla on loan from 2002-2003, before leaving Ajax after his loan spell.
G. ^ Edgar Manucharyan played for Haarlem on loan from 2009-10, and AGOVV in 2010, before leaving Ajax that same year.
H. ^ Stanley Menzo played for Haarlem on loan in 1984, returning to Ajax before leaving the club in 1994, only to return for the 1999-2000 season.
I. ^ Mido played for Celta de Vigo on a loan in 2003, before leaving Ajax, only to return in 2010 on a loan from Middlesbrough before leaving Ajax the same year.
J. ^ John O'Brien played for FC Utrecht on loan from 1998-1999, returning to Ajax before leaving the club in 2005.
K. ^ Petri Pasanen played for Portsmouth on loan in 2004, before leaving Ajax that same year.
L. ^ Michael Reiziger played for Volendam on loan from 1992-1993, and FC Groningen from 1993-1994, before returning to Ajax for one more season.
M. ^ Dennis Rommedahl played for N.E.C. on loan from 2008-2009, before returning to Ajax for one more season.
N. ^ Thomas Vermaelen played for RKC Waalwijk on loan from 2004-2005, before returning to Ajax to play four more season.
O. ^ Jan Vertonghen played for RKC Waalwijk on loan from 2006-2007, returning to Ajax with whom he is currently still active.
P. ^ Wamberto played for R.A.E.C. Mons on loan in 2004, before leaving Ajax after his loan spell.
Q. ^ Aron Winter played for Sparta Rotterdam on loan from 2001-2002, retiring from football after that season.
R. ^ Richard Witschge played for Deportivo Alavés on loan from 2001-2002, before returning to Ajax for one more season.
References