Eighteen-Year-Old Defender Hato Named Youngest Ajax Captain Since De Ligt in Contract Extension Until 2028

The eighteen-year-old defender played every game this season and was always in the starting line-up. As a result, Hato missed a few minutes for the Amsterdam team, which is a unique statistic.

Hato, who became a permanent fixture in the Amsterdam team’s starting lineup this year, even wore the captain’s armband on behalf of Ajax several times. Only two teenagers have had the honor of playing as captain for Ajax, and Hato is now one of them. The only one before him was Matthijs de Ligt at the age of eighteen. Before that, Rafael van der Vaart was Ajax’s youngest captain in this century at the age of twenty.

As well as Hato’s growing role as a permanent fixture in Ajax’s starting XI, this year has been marked by a number of challenges for the club. However, amid these challenges, the announcement of Hato’s contract extension brought good news. The young defender signed a new contract that ties him to Ajax until mid-2028.

This move not only reinforces the club’s confidence in his talent, but also his commitment to the Ajax shirt for years to come.

Talent of the Year
2023: Kenneth Taylor
2022: Jurrien Timber
2021: Ryan Gravenburgh
2020: Sergiño Dest
2019: Noussair Mazraoui
2018: Matthijs de Ligt
2017: Kasper Dolberg
2016: Richedly Bazoer
2015: Anwar El Ghazi
2014: Davy Klaassen
2013: Viktor Fischer
2012: Ricardo van Rhijn
2011: Christian Eriksen
2010: Toby Alderweireld
2009: Gregory van der Wiel
2008: Jan Vertonghen
2007: Ryan Babel
2006: Urby Emanuelson and Thomas Vermaelen
2005: Hedwigs Maduro
2004: Nicolae Mitea
2003: Steven Pienaar
2002: Maxwell
2001: Rafael van der Vaart
2000: Cristian Chivu
1999: Richard Knopper
1998: Benny McCarthy
1997: Mario Melchiot
1996: Nordin Wooter
1995: Date
1994: Tarik Oulida