Ghanaian youngster Jahmael Ampofo has signed his first professional contract with Dutch Eredivisie side AZ Alkmaar on Tuesday afternoon.
The 15-year-old attacker put pen to paper on a deal that will keep him at the club until mid-2027.
Ampofo, who played his first season in Alkmaar last year, joined AZ from amateur club ASC Waterwijk in Almere. He was integrated into the AZ Under 15 team, where he quickly made a significant impact. Under the guidance of trainer Sander Veraart, Ampofo became a regular starter and was named Player of the Tournament at the U15 Kolping International Cup, where AZ secured third place.
Next season, Ampofo will advance to the AZ Under 16 team, where he is expected to continue his development.
Signing his first contract was a milestone for Ampofo. "I am very happy and grateful that this is happening now," he said. "When I came to AZ last year, the beginning was quite difficult. I was new and had to get used to the environment and the intensity. At some point, I switched the button and worked extra hard every day during training and at home. This helped, and this day feels like a reward."
Looking ahead to the new season, the Almere-born footballer has set ambitious goals. "I want to score more goals and give more assists than last season," Ampofo stated. "I want to be important for my team every game. Furthermore, I want to reach AZ1 as soon as possible. The path that Jayden Addai has taken is a good example of a path that I would also like to follow."
AZ's Head of Youth Development, Paul Brandenburg, expressed his delight at Ampofo's signing, praising both his on-field skills and off-field dedication. "Jahmael made a big impression at AZ in one season. He is a winger with a lot of speed, has scoring ability, and can set up his teammates.”
“Jahmael is a winger of the future who can play between the lines and has depth. In addition to his qualities on the field, he also has a fantastic mentality. He always gives one hundred percent, and the way he experiences top sport is an example for many. For that reason, we are signing him at such a young age, and he can slowly build towards a future in professional football."
