Ajax Amsterdam rewards Moroccan homegrown talent with new contract through 2029
2 April 2026
Key details
The Dutch club Ajax Amsterdam has announced the renewal of Moroccan defender-midfielder Marwan Ben Taleb's contract.
Ajax's site says Ben Taleb, 16, who covers defense and midfield, signed a long-term deal through 2029.
Ben Taleb joined Ajax's youth academy in 2024, after arriving from Sparta Rotterdam.
Development and leadership
This season he has featured for Ajax Under-17s under coach Stan Bel.
Marin Becker, the club's football director, said: 'Ben Taleb is a modern defender who can also play midfield, with composure and good game sense.'
He added that Ben Taleb has grown into a leadership player, influential on and off the pitch. We are confident he will stay at this level and progress toward professional football.
Also read: Perez intervenes to protect Petar.
Punchline 1: At this pace, Ajax will need a bigger armband for the kid.
Punchline 2: His leadership is so loud, even the youth team wears earplugs.
