Discovered by the same renowned scout who brought Zlatan Ibrahimović and Christian Eriksen to the Amsterdam ArenA, 19-year-old forward Kasper Dolberg is already making a name for himself at Ajax. Meet the Danish starlet who has followed in the footsteps of Johan Cruyff, Marco van Basten and Frank Rijkaard by scoring on his debut for the Godenzonen.



Name: Kasper Dolberg

Club: Ajax

Debut: 26 July 2016 v PAOK (UEFA Champions League qualifier)

Position: forward

Nationality: Danish

Born: 6 October 1997

Preferred foot: right

Height: 186cm

They say ...

"Kasper has convinced me. I think he's a real striker. Physically he is already very strong for such a young player and he will only get stronger."

Peter Bosz, Ajax head coach

"Kasper is an extraordinary talent. I knew he would be a perfect player for Ajax. Kasper has exceptional qualities: speed, technique, intelligent play and good in the air."

John Steen Olsen, Ajax scout

"I think he has the qualities of Stefan Pettersson as a target man and Patrick Kluivert as goalscorer."

Frank de Boer, former Ajax coach

Dolberg celebrates a goal in qualifying ©Getty Images

Background ...

Born in Silkeborg, Dolberg enjoyed playing handball and football during his childhood. Having begun his career at local outfit Voel, he signed for his home-town club – Danish Super League side Silkeborg – at 12. After progressing through the ranks and representing Denmark at youth level, Dolberg was spotted by acclaimed Ajax scout John Steel Olsen – the man who has unearthed Scandinavian talents such as Jesper Grønkjær, Ibrahimović and Eriksen for the Dutch team for over 20 years. Dolberg inked a three-year deal with the Eredivisie champions in January 2015, agreeing to join that summer, before making his senior debut aged 17 for Silkeborg in the Danish top flight. He promptly impressed in his first year in the Netherlands, scoring three in four UEFA Youth League ties before becoming a permanent first-team fixture at the start of this season. Dolberg is now tipped to make his senior international bow this term, despite only making his Under-21 debut in September.

Playing style ...

Often deployed on the left flank during his youth, the technically gifted starlet is thriving in central areas as a forward. Fast, strong and a natural finisher with a powerful right-foot shot, Dolberg has all the attributes of a top-level striker. Quiet and unfazed, Dolberg has also taken top-flight football in his stride.

Shades of ...

He is often likened to prolific forward and former Dutch international Wim Kieft. Meanwhile, Ajax B coach Gery Vink, who has seen Dolberg climb from his youth team to Peter Bosz's side, compares him to another Scandinavian star: "He has enormous potential. I have often thought, 'This is the new Ibrahimović.'"

Log in for free to watch the highlights See Dolberg's strike against Standard

Eureka moment ...

While deputising for injured marksman Arkadiusz Milik in a UEFA Champions League qualifier in July, Dolberg showed composure beyond his years with his maiden strike on his Ajax debut. The teenager sent a low drilled effort into the bottom corner from the edge of the area against PAOK to rescue a draw and introduce himself to the home faithful in style; it was his first ever outing in Europe. He made headlines again in the Netherlands recently by notching the opener at De Kuip against early pacesetters rivals Feyenoord in his first Klassieker.

Best-case scenario ...

With Dolberg set for a breakthrough campaign after replacing departed talisman Milik, regular domestic and European football, and a senior international call-up are on the way.

He says ...

"Ajax have a great history, I can only improve here. I know what I want [to achieve], but had not expected it so quickly – it's my first season as a professional. I'm pleased with how things are going for me."