Klaassen in the top 20 Club of 100
How unique his position in that honorary gallery is, is proved by the fact that in the last 123 years, only 21 former club members have managed to wear the Ajax jersey more than 320 times. Since the match against Ludogorets at home, Klaassen shares the twentieth place in the prestigious gallery with goalkeeper Stanley Menzo. Both players made 321 appearances.
In Ajax’s Club of 100, club icons are logically well represented, especially at the top of that list. A random selection of Ajax players that defended the club’s honour even more often: Daley Blind (333 matches), Frank Rijkaard (337), Johan Cruijff (369), Piet Keizer (489) and Danny Blind (493). Sjaak Swart is still the captain of the Club of 100. Mister Ajax wore the Ajax jersey an astonishing 603 times. Klaassen has a significant place between impressive Ajax 1 predecessors.
Klaassen as Ajacied in Europe
Klaassen made his last minutes as Ajacied in the decisive play-off match against Ludogorets. The Amsterdam-based team lost but did manage to secure a ticket for the group stage of the UEFA Europa League. This places him with the giants once more. Only three former players - mere club icons - made more European appearances as an Ajax player. Danny Blind is the record holder with 78 European duels. In that series, Blind Senior won all the trophies a club player can win. Besides him, only Piet Keizer (77) and Daley Blind (74) made more appearances.
Klaassen: Ajacied in two periods
Klaassen divided his 321 matches over two periods. After following the youth academy at sports complex De Toekomst, the player born in Hilversum made his debut on November 22, 2011. Coach Frank de Boer gave the 18-year-old talent a chance in the UEFA Champions League match against Olympique Lyon. In France, Klaassen substituted Lorenzo Ebecilio in the final minutes. Five days later, on November 27, 2011, Klaassen made his Eredivisie debut during the visit to NEC. Klaassen had only just gotten on the pitch when he received the ball from Christian Eriksen in the penalty area. The substitute scored his first Ajax goal after 39 seconds, bringing the score to 0-3 for Ajax.
After the 2016/2017 season, a year crowned with a place in the Europa League final, Klaassen left Ajax for the first time. After relatively unsuccessful sportive periods at Werder Bremen and Everton, he returned home in 2020. It was in that first period after his return that Klaassen flourished into a true force in the Ajax squad. He often honoured his nickname 'Mr. 1-0'.
Klaassen in 2023/2024
At the start of the 2023/2024 season, Klaassen was the most chastened and acclaimed player in Maurice Steijn’s team. Prior to the season-opening match against Heracles Almelo (4-1), Klaasen had played 317 matches. After his move to Italy, four matches were added: two competition matches, plus two performances in the play-offs for the EL ticket. Klaassen was brought on as a substitute four times this season. He played 122 minutes. The ultimate Ajacied played his last Eredivisie match on August 19, away at Excelsior. The midfielder made his 93rd and final goal in Kralingen. On Thursday night, August 21, he played his 321st and last official match in the Ajax shirt.
Whether this departure will be temporary or not, time will tell. Klaassen often spoke about his love for the club. Perhaps, a third period as Ajacied might follow one day…
Klaassen 321 times Ajacied (the final numbers)
Eredivisie: 221 duels (74 goals)
Dutch Cup: 23 duels (3 goals)
European matches: 73 duels (16 goals)
Johan Cruijff Shield: 4 duels
Klaassen became champion of the Netherlands five times as an Ajax player in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2021 and 2022. He won his only Dutch Cup in 2021. In 2013, Klaassen conquered his only Johan Cruijff Shield. With that trophy cabinet, he added himself to the list of most loyal and successful Ajax players in the club’s history.
