Van der Sar extends contract as Ajax chief executive

Edwin van der Sar has signed a new deal to stay on as Ajax chief executive officer until June 2025.

The 51-year-old has been part of Ajax’s boardroom set-up for the past decade and has held his current position since 2016.

Van der Sar had a little over a year to run on his existing contract, but Ajax confirmed on Friday he has extended those terms by a further two years.

“A lot has happened in the last ten years at Ajax,” Van der Sar, who also spent nine years in goal for Ajax, told the club’s official website. 

“In these years we have grown with the club in many ways. The international recognition has, mostly due to the results of the first team, grown substantially. 

“But there is also an amazing organisation behind that success. Our goal is to become a structural part of the international top teams. 

“Starting 2024, the design of the European tournaments will change, and we want to compete yearly in the renewed Champions League. 

The greatest announcement ever. pic.twitter.com/eadrfOOG3r

— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) September 9, 2022

“That journey is not at an end, and I want to keep contributing to that process. Every day I get to work with enthusiastic co-workers who also want to keep raising the bar. 

“Not only with the first team, but also in the office, the youth academy, and the Ajax Women. 

“The stadium is always packed and the growth in sales of various Ajax kits to young and old, not only national but also international, is unreal. 

“We feel the support of our fans home and away. Enough reasons to keep putting my heart and soul in this club the coming years.”

Ajax have won five trophies during Van der Sar’s six years as CEO, including the Eredivisie title in three of the past four seasons.