The beginning of Rafael van der Vaart’s career.

Rafael van der Vaart was very young, ten years old, when he was enrolled in ayouth trial for Ajax Amsterdam. He has a lot of talent and it was quickly noticed,and he joined the club on a trial basis. He was soon allowed to continue to stay at the club.Van der Vaart made his debut for Ajax in the 1999-2000 season at the age of 17.They played against FC Den Bosch, and the match ended 1-1.

Rafael van der Vaart’s stay in Ajax.

Rafael van der Vaart stayed in Ajax for 6 seasons. In season 2000-01 van der Vaart’seye for attack was noticed, and he was put into the central attacking midfielder position.That year he was elected as Ajax Talent of the Year and European Talent of the Year.In season 2001-02 van der Vaart suffered a serious knee injury and he needed an operation.The operation went well, and he returned to football, but the knee was not fine, and hesuffered a more serious injury, and he was yet again operated on.The next season he suffered another series of injuries, despite of that fact he scored18 goals in 21 games.

Rafael van der Vaart’s last season with Ajax.

Van der Vaart was named team captain in the season 2004-05 by Coach Ronald Koeman.During the season van der Vaart changed position to a striking position.This season was very poor for van der Vaart, and he was stripped his captaincy by Koeman.At the end of this season he announced that he would not stay in the club,and Ajax announced the sale of van der Vaart for an estimated fee of €5.5mto Hamburg SV in the summer of 2005.