Vera transferred from Ajax Academy Dubai to Talent Team U16: 'Playing at Ajax is a dream come true'

Vera Sweers recently had a dream come true when she was told that she could join the Ajax U16 Talent Team. The talented teenager grew up in Spain and Dubai, where she came into contact with the Ajax philosophy. Vera’s move is unique, because never before has a player from the United Arab Emirates moved to the Amsterdam youth academy.

The Sweers family moved to the Netherlands from Dubai last summer. For Vera, it is the first time that she has lived in our little country in her early life. “It’s a whole new experience. I lived in Dubai for a total of seven years for my father’s work. He works for an international company and was transferred.” Vera was excited to live in the Netherlands. “I was happy when I heard that we were moving, especially because of football. Here there are greater opportunities to develop myself further. In addition, it is nice that I am closer to my family again.”

It is significant that Vera immediately makes the link between her new home and football. The talented midfielder has been crazy about the sacred game from a very young age and has often been admired on the football field in both Spain and the United Arab Emirates. “It was very nice to play football in Dubai, but different than in the Netherlands. In Dubai, there are many associations with international expats who would like to play football. Football is less important there, which means that the opportunities for advancement are smaller.”