Rensch joined Ajax’s youth academy in 2016, and it quickly became clear that a player with great potential had entered the ranks. On May 29, 2019, he played alongside Kenneth Taylor and Brian Brobbey in the U19 cup final against FC Groningen, winning his first trophy in Ajax colors.
The 2019/2020 season marked a significant milestone for Rensch. After an excellent campaign with Ajax U19, where he stood out, the wing-back was named Ajax’s Talent of the Future in November 2020, receiving the Abdelhak Nouri Trophy from the Nouri family. Just nine days later, he made his first-team debut for Ajax, taking his first steps on the senior stage at just 17 years old.
Breakthrough in Ajax 1
On November 28, 2020, Rensch made his official first-team debut against FC Emmen, replacing Noussair Mazraoui in a commanding 5-0 victory. Just a few months later, on January 31, 2021, he made his first start in the Eredivisie against AZ. This was the beginning of a successful run, where Rensch began to solidify his place in the team.
During the 2020/2021 season, he became a regular starter under Erik ten Hag, playing an important role as a right-back. That season, he celebrated his first major trophies with Ajax: the KNVB Cup and the Eredivisie title. His performances earned him a permanent spot in the squad, and he also made his UEFA Europa League debut that season.
Stats and successes
In total, Rensch played 156 matches for Ajax across all competitions, logging 10,828 minutes on the pitch. He scored ten goals, all in the Eredivisie, and provided eleven assists.
Rensch’s reliability is evident from the fact that, since his debut in November 2020, he played the most games of any Ajax player: 156. By comparison, Davy Klaassen played 149, while his peers Brian Brobbey and Kenneth Taylor featured in 146 and 145 matches, respectively.
Rensch appeared most often under Erik ten Hag, who included him in 56 of 86 games during his tenure. However, proportionally, John van ’t Schip was the coach who relied on him the most, fielding him in 29 of the 34 matches during his time in charge.
Versatile defender
Rensch played against AZ more than any other opponent, featuring in eleven matches against the Alkmaar side. He also faced PSV ten times.
Known as a versatile defender, Rensch’s stats reflect his adaptability. In the Ajax first team, he boasted an impressive passing accuracy of 88.2 percent. He also excelled in tackles, successfully completing 65 percent of them.
Fun stats:
- Rensch has the highest goals-per-game ratio against Fortuna Sittard, scoring three goals in five matches against the Limburg side.
- ADO Den Haag conceded the most assists from Rensch: two.
- His trophy haul with Ajax’s first team includes two Eredivisie titles and a KNVB Cup
- Rensch played 77 percent of his minutes as a right-back.
- He made his debut for the Dutch national team on September 7, 2021.
Impact beyond the pitch
Off the field, Rensch also made an impact. During the 2023/2024 season, he served as an ambassador for the Ajax Foundation. Alongside Ajax Women’s player Nadine Noordam, he worked on projects aimed at creating more opportunities for young people. “It feels like an honor to be able to do this,” Rensch said at the time.
A grateful farewell to Ajax
With eight years of history at Ajax, Rensch leaves the club through the front door. His contributions, both on and off the pitch, have cemented his status as a true Ajacied. As he begins a new chapter in Rome, his years at Ajax will always remain a crucial foundation for his career.
In bocca al lupo, Devyne.
