Ajax CTDaylon Classen for Real Madrid
Ajax Cape Town's latest young sensation Daylon Classen made his way to Spain at the invitation of world-renowned football giants, Real Madrid FC, earlier this week.
The youngster was invited to the Spanish capital for a week's training at the club's football development academy, a visit that will see him rubbing shoulders with the best football prodigies the world has to offer.
The visit was confirmed by Claasen's business manager Rob Moore, who described the situation as a unique opportunity for the young Capetonian.
"This visit will thrust him onto the world stage as many of the leading clubs scouts will be alerted to his visit to the Bernabeau," said Moore.
"We will be able to gauge the standard of preparation of a South African development player to those he will be competing with in Real Madrid.
"It's even better that Daylon has had an opportunity to travel to Europe at a younger age than Benni [McCarthy] was when he first joined Ajax Amsterdam."
This visit could well demonstrate the progress made at Ajax Cape Town's renowned Youth Development Academy, whilst also highlighting the interest generated amongst Europe's elite clubs of the youth developed at Ikamva.
Earlier this year another Ajax Cape Town Development player, Stanton Lewis, realised his dream when he was invited to join Mother Club Ajax Amsterdam.
The 'Urban Warriors' head coach Muhsin Ertugral said: "The first junior training session that I watched at Ajax was that of the Under-17 team.
"I clearly recall saying to my CEO John Comitis, that I would like Daylon to train with my first team squad.
"I thought he was technically and tactically advanced for his age," the Ajax mentor continued. "For a 16-year-old, I believed he would be an asset to South African football."
Ertugral - a big fan of South Africa's previous wonderkid Jabu, formerly Pule, Mahlangu - believes that Claasen is better than Mahlangu was at the same age.
"He has both the South African class and the technical ability beyond his age," Ertugral confidently exclaimed.
"I have to give credit to the Ajax Under-17 coach Duncan Crowie, who has molded, not only Daylon, but a number of up-and-coming players like Thulani, Shameeq, and Cole among others.
"These players are all assets to Ajax Cape Town and I am looking forward to working with them in the future. I cannot wait for Daylon to come back so that I can link him up with Clifford Ngobeni, who at 19, has the potential to play for Bafana Bafana."
Ajax heeft het eerste recht op koop, neem ik aan. Ajax CT is immers van ons.
