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.HE'S WORTH WATCHING
THE MOST
EXCITING O
TALENT TO
HAVE EMERGED
FROM THE
YOUTH SYSTEM
FOR SEVERAL
EARS
Ajax are renowned for their incredible youth academy and the
quality of players that have emerged from the system is
highly impressive. Johan Cruyff, Frank Rijkaard, Dennis
Bergkamp and Patrick Kluivert are just a few to have come
through the ranks at the Amsterdam club, and Rafael van
der Vaart could be every bit as successful as those.
I The 20-year-old is the most exciting talent to have
emerged from the youth system for several years and
despite suffering an injury-hit last 18 months, Van
der Vaart managed to score eighteen goals in only
twenty-one league games last term - an impressive
I tally for a striker never mind a midfielder.
1 His rapid rise to the Ajax first team did not go
unnoticed by the national team boss Louis van
Gaal and Van der Vaart was soon handed his
I international debut back in October 2001 against
I Andorra as an 18-year-old. From that moment on,
I Van der Vaart has settled well into international
football and is fast becoming a regular feature in
the Dutch national side.
However, it has not all been rosy for the
young starlet. In February 2002, Van der
Vaart picked up a serious knee injury in a
league match against RKC. The operation
was clearly not successful as he picked up
a similar injury shortly after his 'recovery'
and spent a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Kap I
Fortunately, he seems to have returned
;j even stronger and enjoyed his most
successful season in front of goal last
term. His trickery on the ball, pace and eye
for goal has caught the attention of many top W
European sides, but Ajax will be desperate to hold
RAFAEL
VAN DER
VAART
www.nottinqhamfores
