After captaining Fortuna Sittard to promotion last season, Perr Schuurs is now with Ajax and is hoping to make waves in Amsterdam.
- By Michael Bell
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Schuurs joined the Fortuna Sittard academy at the age of 11 and only five years later he was making his first-team debut as a substitute in a 2-0 win over VVV Venlo. The youngster made two more sub appearances before he was made a permanent starter in the Limburg XI, starting and completing the full ninety minutes in 21 matches before the end of the campaign.
Schuurs was a phenomenon at Fortuna Sittard and last season he was made their captain, despite his tender age and spearheaded their promotion campaign with eight goals and five assists. Sadly, however, Fortuna won’t have their star man at their disposal in the top flight.
Last January, Schuurs was a wanted man around Europe and impressed during a trial with Liverpool, while Red Bull Leipzig and PSV were also circling. It was Ajax who swooped to sign Schuurs and agreed to loan him back for the end of last season.
Schuurs is now part of the Ajax first-team and goes into the new Eredivisie season eager to make an impression as an understudy to Matthijs de Ligt and Daley Blind.
Style of Play
Schuurs is an exceptionally talented centre-back, who is commanding at the back, good in the air, powerful in the tackle, and comfortable in possession.
For Fortuna, the 18-year-old loved to carry the ball from the defence and he gained a reputation for scoring exceptional goals. Schuurs has a hammer of a right-foot and likes to take aim from distance at any opportunity.
Schuurs has gained comparisons to Gerard Pique and John Stones in his young career, while he has obviously been linked with fellow Ajax sensation De Ligt. The youngster isn’t at the level of any of those defenders yet, but has a chance to reach another level in Amsterdam and will improve significantly from playing top-flight football and in Europe.
What to expect from Schuurs this season
Ajax appears to be planning for the future with the signing of Schuurs, who goes into the new campaign as a starter for Jong Ajax instead of the first-team.
Matthijs de Ligt, Daley Blind, Frenkie de Jong and Max Wober all appear to be ahead of Schuurs in the pecking order but he will undoubtedly receive some game time and will be eager to impress at any opportunity.
Schuurs is the natural replacement for De Ligt, who is likely to be starting his final season in an Ajax shirt. This season is all about gaining experience and getting used to the Ajax way before stepping up next year.
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