Ajax gets into eSports with FIFA player Koen Weijland

Dutch football club Ajax has signed FIFA player Koen Weijland, becoming the latest team to enter the world of eSports.

The five time Dutch champion has been ranked as the best player in the world in 2010, 2011 and 2015 and will now represent Ajax at all future tournaments. He has been given shirt number 39.

Koen is multiple FIFA-champion, inspires youth, has a personality that matches this club and is a big Ajax-fan,” said club director and legendary goal keeper, Edwin van der Sar. Reasons enough to be happy about our collaboration. Besides, we have been looking for new ways to appeal to young fans better. This initiative can be seen in that light. We will not only support Koen in big tournaments, but also organize activities for our fans together with him. Finally, we find it important to contribute to more ‘digital fun’, as well as to inspire youth to pick up a ball and play football. These worlds can exist together very well and even complement each other.”

Today is a dream come true for me,” said Weijland. I have been Ajacied all my life and I am very proud to defend the beautiful red and white in FIFA-tournaments. The story of Ajax speaks to me. Like me, they want to organize a variety of activities for youth and link those to real-life football. As a YouTube-personality and FIFA E-Sports athlete, I am convinced I will be able to inspire young people, just like the Ajax-players.”