Amsterdam’s latest teenage spark has begun to illuminate Ajax’s senior side. Abdellah Ouazane, the Morocco international born in the Netherlands on 15 January 2009, has followed a striking European goal with another in the Eredivisie as his first-team role gathers momentum.
A rapid rise in Amsterdam
- Ouazane first made his mark in Ajax’s academy teams and in the UEFA Youth League, where his ability had already marked him out as one of the club’s most exciting young players.
- Míchel Sánchez has since offered the 17-year-old opportunities with the senior squad, and the youngster has responded with an increasingly confident presence.
- On Thursday, Ouazane scored a spectacular goal in the Conference League, displaying the individual quality that has made him so highly regarded.
- He found the net again in Sunday’s Eredivisie match, underlining that his impact is beginning to extend from youth football into the professional game.
The young attacker has attracted attention through his willingness to take opponents on, his sharpness in one-versus-one situations and his readiness to attempt the unexpected. There are elements of Lamine Yamal in that instinctive freedom: a player prepared to create a decisive moment from an apparently ordinary position.
At Ajax, though, the impression is not simply of technical promise. Ouazane has started to demand the ball and accept responsibility despite his age, showing little inclination to hide in the demanding surroundings of one of European football’s most scrutinised development clubs.
Morocco choice and continental interest
Ouazane has also begun his international career with Morocco. Although he was born in the Netherlands and could have represented the Dutch national team, he chose Morocco and has already made his debut for the Atlas Lions.
His emergence has not gone unnoticed beyond Amsterdam. Major European clubs have placed him on their radar, while Ajax are seeking to safeguard a player they regard as a central part of their future.
His contract runs until 2028, giving Ajax a measure of security amid the growing attention. His market value is listed at €8 million, though that figure may quickly look modest if his recent scoring run and senior development continue.
