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Appearances - 603
Goals - 228
Eight Eredivisie titles: 1956/57,1959/60,1965/66,1966/67,
1967/68,1969/70,1971/72,1972/73
Five-time KNVB Cup winner: 1960/61,1966/67,1969/70,
1970/71,1971/72
Three-time European Cup winner: 1970/71,1971/72,1972/73
Two-time European Super Cup winner -1972,1973
Mr Ajax as he is nicknamed, Sjaak Swart made nearly 600
appearances for the Amsterdam side - a club record - and scored
over 200 goals during his 17-year stay. Playing mainly on the wing
SwartjoinedAjax's academy inl949beforegraduatingthrough the
youth system and making his senior debut in 1956 at the age of 18.
Though young he continued to make an immediate and valuable
impact on the Ajax first team, scoring 18 goals in his first full
campaign alongside striker Henk Groot as the club picked up the
Eredivisie title. That was title number two for the midfielder with
six more still to come, however he had to wait six seasons before
the next as while Ajax impressed in cup competitions, their form in
the league slipped dramatically, almost putting them on the verge
of relegation by the mid-1960s.
It all changed afterthe arrival of coach Rinus Michels and Johan
Cruyff though, as the pair reinvigorated and transformed the
Amsterdam outfit. The following season they reclaimed the title
and Swart rediscovered his form with an impressive 25 goals to
his name. It was on the European stage however, where Swart
really wanted to make his mark. For years, Ajax had struggled on
the continent but in 1971, as the winger turned 33 that all changed.
Between 1971 and 1973, an unprecedented three European Cups
were lifted by Ajax as their totaalvoetbal system helped them
brush aside Europe's best. Hanging up his boots after that third
and final European Cup triumph. Swart had scored in each of his
17 professional seasons and amassed an impressive trophy haul.
Appearances - 337
Goals - 71
Five Eredivisie titles -1981/82,1982/83,1984/85,1993/94,
1994/95
Three-time KNVB Cup winner: 1982/83,1985/86,1986/87
UEFA Champions League winner -1994-95
European Cup Winners' Cup -1986-87
One of the world's greatest defensive midfielders, Frank Rijkaard
was born in Amsterdam and his talent was spotted at an early age
by the Ajax academy. Given his first team debut at the age of just 17,
supporters could always see why the youngster had been blooded
in the game as he scored his side's third in a 4-2 victory on the first
day of the season. It was his natural ability which shone through,
his innate quality helping him hone the skills needed for almost any
position on the pitch, making him the complete footballer. Learning
his trade alongside Johan Cruyff in the latter stages of his playing
career, the young Dutchman demonstrated his vision, intelligence
and understanding of the game and operated with the experience
of a seasoned professional. At the end of the 1987/88 season, he
left Ajax for Sporting Lisbon and had spells with Real Zaragoza and
Milan before returning to Amsterdam for a second stint in 1993.
The success continued for Rijkaard on his return as with more
experience under his belt, he helped Ajax to two more league titles, as
wellas the Champions Leaguetitle in hisfinalseason. He provided the
assistfor Patrick Kluivert's winner inthe Vienna showpiece. Following
his retirement at the end of that season, the Dutch international
moved into management, having spells coaching his national side
and Galatasaray, as well as a very successful time with Barcelona,
where he led the Catalan side to Champions League glory in 2006,
with a 2-1 win over Arsenal.
