Her move to the Bundesliga brings an end to five years in Amsterdam. The now 21-year-old striker was born in Kapelle, in the Dutch province of Zeeland. She took her first steps in football at local club VV Kapelle before joining the boys’ teams at JOVZ in Vlissingen. In 2021, Ajax spotted her talent and brought her into the Ajax Talent Academy.
It quickly proved to be a successful move. In just her second season with the Ajax Women’s U19 Talent Team, she helped the side win the league title. Later that same year (2023), she earned promotion to the first team. Tolhoek made her senior debut in September 2023 in the Super Cup against FC Twente under head coach Suzanne Bakker, although she initially had to compete with Leuchter for a place up front. Her eye for goal became evident early on during Ajax Women's European campaign, scoring her first goal in the UEFA Women's Champions League qualifying round against FC Zürich.
League statistics
Tolhoek went on to spend three seasons with the Ajax Women’s first team. During that time, she scored 33 goals and provided 11 assists in 54 Vrouwen Eredivisie matches. In total, she was directly involved in 44 league goals across those three seasons. During that period, only Desiree van Lunteren (47), Renate Jansen (47) and Jaimy Ravensbergen (46) were involved in more league goals for their respective clubs. Tolhoek also missed the closing stages of last season through injury, meaning she was unable to enjoy the farewell in Amsterdam she had likely hoped for.
It therefore comes as no surprise that she was involved in more Ajax goals than any of her teammates during that period. Her 33 Eredivisie goals over three seasons comfortably surpassed Tiny Hoekstra, who scored 20 in the same timeframe.
Remarkably, all 33 of Tolhoek's Eredivisie goals came from inside the penalty area. Those goals came across 37 starts in 54 league appearances. She scored 28 times with her right foot, three with her left and added two headers. Overall, she averaged one goal every 103 minutes in the Eredivisie for Ajax.
Those numbers have now earned her a move to one of Europe's top leagues. Ajax also says goodbye to a wonderful ambassador for the Ajax Foundation. A true Ajacied, both on and off the pitch.
Viel Spass, Danique!
