“Former Ajax Master Scout Henk Veldmate Returns to FC Groningen”

Veldmate was already active at Groningen between 1998 and 2016 as director of player affairs and head scout. In 2016 he moved to Ajax, where he was also in charge of scouting. On behalf of the two clubs, he discovered players such as Luis Suárez, Virgil van Dijk, Lisandro Martínez and Antony. At Ajax, however, things did not get along between the scouts in recent months, while Veldmate had to take a step back and was no longer the boss of his department. Veldmate now opts for a departure from Ajax.

He was also in the picture as technical director at Groningen, but Veldmate will start working as an international scout at De Trots van het Noorden. “My bond with FC Groningen has always been very strong,” Veldmate responds in conversation with the channels of his new club. “I have always lived in Groningen during my work for Ajax. Now I also return home figuratively. I had a great period in Amsterdam, for which I would like to thank the club very much and I also appreciate that Ajax, despite my standing agreement has contributed to an early departure.”

General manager Wouter Gudde is pleased that Veldmate is returning. “We are very happy that we managed to persuade Henk to return to the club. In addition to a great personality, Henk is an absolute professional with a lot of experience, has a large national and international network within football and a very good view of football With his expertise, we are convinced that Henk can help us enormously in the coming years in terms of football technology in the further development of the club and the realization of our goals.”

Henk Veldmate will return to FC Groningen in scouting in June.

Welcome back, Henk!💚🤍

➡ https://t.co/MaYNxVwSpt#prideofthenorth

— FC Groningen (@fcgroningen) April 12, 2023

Henk Veldmate leaves Ajax after 7 years. The Chief Scout returns to his old employer.

Good luck at FC Groningen, Henk!

— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) April 12, 2023