We visit the former Ajacied in Limburg, where Dijks currently plays at Fortuna Sittard. When shown a picture of his former team, he smiles big. He first notices his hair. "That was cool back then to have a mullet," he says, smiling. "This was a super-talented class and a great team. We became champions and won the Future Cup."
Class
He immediately names a few of them. "Xandro Schenk, Sven Nieuwpoort, Djarno Hofland, Ouasim Bouy, Fabian Sporkslede, Lesley de Sa, Stefano Denswil and Davy Klaassen. He has more hair now than in this picture," Dijks smiles again. "It's funny to see this; I still know all of them. I was friends with everyone but was very close with Schenk, Mike Busse and Maurits Schmitz. We even went to Greece on a holiday when we were young boys."
The young Dijks transferred from FC Volendam in 2009 and joined coach Robin Pronk’s U17. "I was young and reckless and had a tough start due to a scooter incident at the beginning of the season. This put me on the sidelines for a few months. Eventually, I almost played every match at the Future Cup, something I wouldn’t have thought earlier that season."
The 2010 edition was the first Future Cup in history. Dijks remembers a packed sports complex De Toekomst. "It was very busy. I think it was partly because it was the first time, and partially because we were such a good team. All those fans and the attention from the media put some pressure on the youngster. "I would enjoy it more now; I couldn’t back then."
Rainy circumstances
The tournament was opened on the main field against peers from Liverpool. Under rainy circumstances, Bouy shot the Ajacieden to a difficult 1-0 victory. After that, things got going. "I remember I came on as a sub against Liverpool, looked around me and thought: there are so many people." In the following match, China U17 was beaten 4-0, partly thanks to a goal scored by Dijks. "We didn’t expect it. When I see this, it gives me a great feeling," he says, looking back at the team picture.
No conceded goals
Also in the last group stage match against FC Barcelona (2-0 victory), Ajax conceded no goals. Dijks starts to laugh. "That’s what you get when I’m there. I'm just kidding. Together with Sporkslede, Denswil, and Schenk, I formed a very stable defense. We didn’t concede a single goal in that tournament, which says something."
Eventually, the Ajacieden crowned themselves the first winner of the prestigious tournament by beating AC Milan 3-0 in the semi-final and a 1-0 victory against China in the final. "Look at that trophy; it’s stunning. In the youth, I first played at FC Volendam, and you just don’t win as often as at Ajax. For me, this was a fantastic moment. It felt like I had only been there for six months, partly because of my injury."
According to Dijks, the general public got to know the young defender during the Future Cup. "After the tournament, people knew who Mitchell Dijks was, which I don’t think they did before. I wasn't part of the best and had to rely on my work ethic and drive. Eventually, I did manage to make the move to Ajax 1."
Reward
That move to Ajax 1 started to happen after the Future Cup. "I put myself on the map. After this tournament, I signed my first contract, which I earned during the Future Cup. This edition has a special meaning for me."
"What sticks with me when I look at the picture…," Dijks continues. "After Ajax, I played at clubs where I didn’t always win. I struggled with that sometimes. That’s why I’m so glad I played in such a great team and won a lot in that period. That was beneficial for my development," he concludes.
Top row :Mitchell Dijks, Rowendy Schoop, Mike Busse, Fabian Sporkslede, Maurits Schmitz, Peter Leeuwenburg, Sven Nieuwpoort, Xandro Schenk, Djarno Hofland
Middle one: Lesley de Sa, Youssef Fennich, Stefano Denswil, Terell Ondaan, Danzell Gravenberch
At the bottom: Jip Bartels, Ouasim Bouy, Davy Klaassen, Khalid Salim el Abed, Davi Lizardo
