Ajax sign Rafael Van Der Vaart’s teenage son Damian on one-year deal

Ajax have signed Damian Van Der Vaart, son of former Netherlands international Rafael.

Midfielder Van Der Vaart moves to Amsterdam from Danish side Esbjerg after Ajax bought out the remainder of the 17-year-old’s contract.

A club statement read: “Ajax has signed Damian Van Der Vaart. The midfielder has agreed to a contract lasting one season, until June 30, 2024.

Damián is the next Van der Vaart #ForTheFuture

— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) September 6, 2023

“This marks the first contract with Ajax for the 17-year-old youth player.”

Esbjerg’s talent manager Anders Brynaa revealed an agreeable deal had been brokered which allowed the young Dutchman to move to Amsterdam.

“Over a long period, we have had a good dialogue with Ajax regarding a possible change of club for Damian Van Der Vaart, who has wanted to pursue the opportunity in his home country,” Brynaa told the Esbjerg club website.

“As a club, we have been financially compensated in an agreement that makes sense for all parties and we therefore thank Damian for his efforts for EfB and wish him the best of luck in the future.”

Rafael Van Der Vaart started his career in the Ajax academy.

He later joined German club Hamburg before a move to Real Madrid in 2008 and a spell with English Premier League side Tottenham.

The Dutchman – part of the Oranje side which reached the 2010 World Cup final – retired from playing in 2018 at Esbjerg, where he later had a short stint as an assistant coach.