From the outside, Edvardsen seems like the type who has everything under control. It becomes clear when he talks about how quickly he adjusted to life in Amsterdam. The winger joined Ajax in January. "I’m settled. I’ve found a place to live. I enjoy the city. It’s big, though — bigger than I was used to."
Before joining Ajax, Edvardsen spent 2.5 years at Go Ahead Eagles. So the Netherlands wasn’t entirely new to him. "But in Deventer, you knew almost everyone. Or at least, you’d always run into someone familiar. I had that even more in Norway. In Amsterdam, that’s different, but that’s fine."
Go to the beach
Still, adjusting to life in the capital took some effort. He did have some help. "Thanks to Enric Llansana (former Ajax player and ex-teammate at Go Ahead Eagles). He told me where to go in the city and what to check out. And I’ve still seen only a fraction of it."
"I’d still like to explore the surroundings a bit more. Go to the beach or something," the Scandinavian adds. "Some of the guys told me it’s a great place to relax, have a drink, something to eat. Sounds good to me. I really like it here in the Netherlands. People are relaxed and their English is good. The lifestyle is structured in a way that feels familiar — a lot like Norway, which makes adjusting easier."
It’s no small thing to move abroad in your twenties — even with support from the club. But the Norwegian has handled it well. Though his girlfriend, VfL Wolfsburg player Justine Kielland, lives in Germany and his family remains in Norway, Edvardsen feels good in Amsterdam.
"Luckily, we have FaceTime. With our football schedules, that’s just how it is. But when we can, we see each other. We also went back to Norway this summer — it was nice to spend time with family and friends."
Once back in the Netherlands, it was time to focus on football again. After a strong start in his first six months at Ajax, he’s now looking to build on that progress — quietly working his way into the first team.
Valuable training camp
But things have changed for Edvardsen as well. Francesco Farioli left. John Heitinga came back, bringing not just a new face to the squad, but also a different approach. That’s why the training camp in Zeist is so valuable for the Norwegian.
"It’s a great opportunity to get to know everyone better — the guys in the team and the new coaching staff. It’s also the right time to lay the foundation for the new season and learn Heitinga’s playing principles."
This week in the Zeisterbossen also marks another step in Edvardsen’s ongoing adaptation to life in the Netherlands and at Ajax. Even if the changes in his life don’t seem to faze him, the 26-year-old winger is fully aware of the difference it makes to play for a club the size of Ajax.
"Moving to Ajax was a big step. Any time you go somewhere new, it just takes time to fully adapt. But I’ve done it a few times now, so I know what to expect. I needed about a month or two at Ajax to really feel comfortable."
In the meantime, Edvardsen let his feet do the talking on the pitch. In his first matches wearing the Ajax shirt, he found the net early. "On the field, I give everything I have. I don’t overthink it. In the end, it’s just a match." His calm and relaxed nature helps him on the pitch. "Yeah, I guess it does. I don’t really stress."
'Good moments will follow'
That’s why Edvardsen lives in the moment. He doesn’t focus too much on long-term goals. Of course, the Norwegian wants to win trophies with Ajax — no doubt about that. "But I don’t think too much about the future. I believe that can negatively affect your performance. If you live day by day and take each match as it comes, the good moments will follow."
That mindset paid off during his quick start in Amsterdam. In his first three home games for Ajax, he scored in each one — placing him alongside Patrick Kluivert in the history books, who did the same in the 1990s.
"When I was told that after the match against AZ, I had no idea. It’s amazing to be even a small part of this club’s incredible history. I’m proud of that. It’s a crazy thought that you’re now creating memories for the Ajax fans."
A new season of making memories unofficially began about a week and a half ago, with the first training session in Amsterdam. On August 10, Ajax will officially kick off the season against Telstar at the Johan Cruijff ArenA. "But first, we’re working hard here, at De Toekomst and soon in Como. I’m looking forward to that too — playing in a different environment against strong opponents. I’m excited."
