Ranking the 5 greatest Ajax players to have played in the Premier League

Luis Suarez after scoring a goal in the Premier League
Luis Suarez after scoring a goal in the Premier League

#3 Edwin van der Sar

Chelsea v Manchester United - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final
Chelsea v Manchester United - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final

The Premier League was blessed with one of the best goalkeepers when Fulham signed Edwin van der Sar from Juventus in 2001. He was one of the few players at Ajax to remain at the club after winning the Champions League in 1995. In 1999, he joined Juventus, becoming the first non-Italian goalkeeper for them in the process.

However, he did not last there as the Bianconeri signed Gianluigi Buffon in 2001. Van der Sar did not prefer being the second option, as a result of which he joined the newly-promoted Premier League side, Fulham. He was arguably the best player at the club as long as he stayed there.

Manchester United had attempted to sign him as a replacement for the departing Peter Schmeichel. However, the Dutch chose to move to Italy. After six years of goalkeeping dilemma, United finally landed him.

He succeeded Schmeichel remarkably and recorded an aggregate of almost two trophies a year. His heroics in the penalty shootout helped United defeat Chelsea for the 2007-08 Champions League title, which was also his second.


#2 Luis Suarez

Manchester United v Liverpool - Premier League
Manchester United v Liverpool - Premier League

The Uruguayan is another Ajax player to bless the Premier League. Luis Suarez is deadly when it comes to scoring goals and no pleading could make him show mercy. The striker played for another club called Groningen in the Eredivisie before joining Ajax. He was a talented striker, but the move to Ajax unlocked his full potential.

In his third season with the Dutch side, he scored 49 goals in 48 appearances. This proved to be the catalyst for the greater things that happened in his career. Liverpool signed him in 2011 which eventually benefitted both parties. The Reds were not a force in the league after the christening of the Premier League. But Suarez's addition started their rise.

He was a goal scoring menace in the Premier League. His contributions brought Liverpool closest to winning their first Premier League title when they finished runners-up in the 2013-14 season. That same season he also equalled Cristiano Ronaldo's record for the most goals (31) in a season which was later broken by Mohamed Salah.


#1 Dennis Bergkamp

Dennis Bergkamp playing for Arsenal
Dennis Bergkamp playing for Arsenal

There is no discussion that could budge a person from declaring Dennis Bergkamp the best ever Dutch and Ajax player to play in the Premier League. He is one of the most versatile players ever and the goalkeeping position is the only one he hasn't tried in his career.

The talented Ajax graduate spent seven years with the club. By the time he closed his chapter there, he had recorded a goal every two matches. This was despite being played in many different positions. However, his scoring pace dipped after he moved to Inter Milan in 1993.

It was Arsenal who redeemed him when they signed him two years after his failed move to the Nerazzurri. The rest, as we say, is history. His move was crucial to Arsenal's rise back to the top after their early 90's collapse.

Bergkamp helped Arsenal fracture Manchester United's dominant run in the Premier League. This, in turn, gave the world its fireciest rivalry as both clubs outdid each other year after year. Bergkamp scored 113 goals and made 94 assists in 403 appearances for the Gunners.

His 11 year stay and accolades earned him legendary status at the club. The Dutch forward hung his boots in 2006 at the newly inaugrated Emirates Stadium. The testimonial match between Arsenal and Ajax closed off his incredible journey.

He even has a statue after him at the Emirates Stadium, such was his impact.

Quick Links

App download animated image Get the free App now