10 forgotten Ajax players from the last 30 years

Ajax have helped create some of world's finest footballers throughout their illustrious history.

From Johan Cruyff to Frenkie de Jong, the four-time champions of Europe are renowned for nurturing and then selling top-quality talent.

But not every footballer who dons the Ajax jersey has been quite so memorable.

We take a look at 10 players you may not recall ever representing the Dutch giants.

Nwankwo Kanu (1993-96)

Before enjoying goal-filled stints in England with Arsenal and Portsmouth, Nwankwo Kanu honed his craft in Amsterdam.

The Nigerian centre forward scored 27 goals in 75 appearances for Ajax and was part of the 1994-95 Champions League-winning squad, before joining Inter Milan.

Benni McCarthy (1997-99)

Now a first-team coach at Manchester United, ex-Blackburn and West Ham striker Benni McCarthy represented Ajax before the turn of the millennium.

Prior to his move to Celta Vigo, the South African marksman bagged 23 goals in all competitions across a two-year spell in the Netherlands.

Georgi Kinkladze (1998-2000)

Manchester City icon Georgi Kinkladze joined Ajax after a successful three-year period in the north of England.

The Georgian playmaker made only 16 appearances and was not even issued with a squad number for the 1999-2000 campaign.

Steven Pienaar (2001-06)

Steven Pienaar is best remembered for his two spells at Everton, either side of a failed stint at Tottenham.

But the South African winger was also a tidy operator for Ajax, winning two Eredivisie titles and finishing as the joint-leading assist provider in the 2005-06 edition of the Champions League.

Filipe Luis (2004-05)

Filipe Luis is a LaLiga icon thanks to his dazzling displays at Deportivo La Coruna and Atletico Madrid — but his European adventure began at Ajax.

The Flamengo left-back joined the Dutch side on loan from Figueirense and though he was called up to the first-team squad twice, manager Ronald Koeman opted to keep him on the bench.

Jaap Stam (2006-07)

Fondly remembered for colossal spells at PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United, Lazio and AC Milan, it is easy to forget Jaap Stam spent a season at Ajax before retirement.

The former centre-back also took charge of Jong Ajax between 2014 and 2016.

Oleguer (2008-11)

A regular at Barcelona in the Frank Rjikaard era and a two-time LaLiga winner, versatile defender Oleguer spent the final years of his career at Ajax.

He made 58 appearances in all competitions and then retired in 2011 at the age of 31 after being released.

Bojan Krkic (2013-14)

Following spells with Roma and AC Milan, Bojan Krkic joined Ajax on loan from Barcelona for the 2013-14 season.

The Spanish forward scored five goals in 32 first-team appearances but was not signed permanently. He instead joined Stoke in July 2014.

Arkadiusz Milik (2014-16)

Polish striker Arkadiusz Milik initially joined Ajax on loan from Bayer Leverkusen, with his performances in 2014-15 paving the way for a permanent move.

The towering forward scored 24 goals in 42 appearances the following campaign, numbers which prompted Napoli to swoop in and snap him up.

Nemanja Gudelj (2015-17)

Sevilla regular Nemanja Gudelj joined Ajax from AZ Alkmaar in May 2015 and fell out of favour during his second season in Amsterdam.

The Serbia international subsequently headed to China in January 2017, before Sporting brought him back to Europe on loan a year-and-a-half later.