At Jong Ajax, a number of old acquaintances are on the training field. Ryan Babel, Carel Eiting and Pelle Clement train with the U23 team. The trio is currently without a club and is keeping their condition up with the team of trainer John Heitinga.
Babel has been clubless since his departure from Galatasaray. In the past, the wing attacker already played three periods with the team from Amsterdam. In 2004 he had his breakthrough in the Johan Cruijff Arena, after which Liverpool took him over in 2007. In the 2012-2013 season, Babel was also active for one season and in 2020 he was hired from Galatasaray during the winter break. In total, Babel played 142 official matches for Ajax.
Eiting
Eiting has been clubless since his departure from Huddersfield Town and has recently started training with Jong Ajax. “I prefer to find a club as soon as possible so that I can build up competition rhythm and get to know my teammates. There is also clarity for the club more quickly,” says Eiting.
The midfielder left Ajax last summer after fourteen years. KRC Genk took over and in the winter break he was traded to Huddersfield Town again. “Those were fun periods, very different from Ajax. Different in the way of training and playing. The emphasis in England was on running gear. One third of the training was with the ball, the rest without. That was very good to participate in Although I like everything with the ball more.”
Several clubs are interested in Eiting’s services. The midfielder is linked to FC Volendam and the Italian SPAL, among others.