The evergreen budding teenager of Ghanaian heritage has penned his first official deal with the Amsterdam-based club, with his fresh terms set to take him through to 2029 at the Johan Cruijff ArenA
Dutch-born Ghanaian starlet Denzel Darko has signed his first professional contract with Eredivisie heavyweights Ajax, the club have announced.
The 16-year-old, currently with the Ajax U17, has so far enjoyed a breakthrough season in the U17 Division 1 Case contest, with such stellar performances now attracting serious interest from Europe's leading sides in an effort to lure him from his childhood club in the summer.
Given the attention from potential suitors over his services next season, the Lancers have acted swiftly by succeeding in tying him down to a long-term contract thereby warding off interested clubs from poaching him in the next transfer window.
A statement over his first PRO contract reads: ''Ajax has signed Denzel Darko. The sixteen-year-old forward signs a contract that takes effect this coming summer and runs until June 30, 2029. It is his first professional contract.
''Darko (February 28, 2010, Amsterdam) has been playing for Ajax since 2016 and has progressed through several youth teams. This season, the youth international is part of the Ajax U17 squad, which is led by coach Stan Bijl. Recently, Darko played with the U17s at Olympia Future Cup.''
Director of Football Marijn Beuker has told his club's official website: "Denzel has been at Ajax since the U8s and he has developed tremendously well over the past few years. Denzel possesses good acceleration and excellent technique, with which he can create scoring opportunities. He has a lot of power and dynamism, but combines that with a lot of creativity, making a major contribution to the team's attacking play. He can play both as a left winger and as a 'power number 10'. We are confident that he will continue to develop towards professional football in the coming years."
Given his glaring talent, the Ghana FA technical team would now be compelled to monitor his progress at Ajax for future call-ups on the international stage having played for the Netherlands U15 national youth team.
By Hassan B Alhassan
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