We take a look at players who have represented both Dutch giants, Ajax and Feyenoord
Two of the most iconic teams in Dutch football, Ajax and Feyenoord, are also involved in one of the fiercest rivalries in Europe.
A rivalry between the cities of Amsterdam and Rotterdam, both have competed for the biggest titles in Dutch football.
Both clubs enjoyed the greatest success on a global scale in the early 1970s, when they were considered to be two of the best clubs in the world. During this time, Ajax won three European Cups, whereas Feyenoord won one European Cup and one Uefa Cup.
Games between these two teams often saw violent clashes between supporters of either club.
Despite the vociferous support from fans, some players dared to play for both teams in their careers, including the great Johan Cruyff!
Who were the rest? Let's take a look!
GettyJohan Cruyff
There are not enough words to express what Johan Cruyff did for our beautiful game.
The three-time Ballon d'Or winner was a player like nobody else and left a legacy as one of the most influential players of all time.
A product of Ajax's youth academy, Cruyff joined their senior team in 1964. He stayed at Ajax until 1973, ushering in the golden era of "Total Football" and scoring 193 goals in 245 games.
Cruyff led Ajax to eight Eredivisie titles, five KNVB Cups, three European Cups, a European Supercup and an Intercontinental Cup over his two stints at the club.
He left for Barcelona in 1973 and stayed for five years, scoring 48 goals in 143 games and winning two trophies including La Liga in his first season at the club.
Cruyff left Catalonia to move to the United States until Ajax decided to bring him back in 1981. He stayed there for two more years, scoring 14 goals in 36 games before signing for Feyenoord in 1983.
Cruyff scored 11 goals in 33 games for Feyenoord in what was his final season as a professional footballer and led them to the 1983-84 Eredivisie title and the KNVB Cup before hanging up his boots.
AdvertisementPROSHOTSWim Jansen
Feyenoord's greatest legend Wim Jansen was one of the most versatile players on the planet in his prime.
The midfielder, who could also slot into the defence, joined Feyenoord's senior team after graduating from their academy in 1965.
He stayed at Feyenoord for 15 years, making 415 appearances for them, winning the European Cup in 1970 among other trophies. Jansen joined American club Washington Diplomats in 1980.
However, Jansen returned to the Netherlands in the same year and joined Ajax, where he made 49 appearances in a two-season spell before retiring.
It is said that Cruyff considered Jansen to be one of only four men worth paying attention to when they spoke about football.
Ronald Koeman
One of the most versatile players in history, Ronald Koeman played for all three top clubs in Netherlands – Ajax, PSV and Feyenoord.
He joined Ajax in 1983 from Groningen, scoring 23 goals in 94 games in his three-year stint at the club where he won an Eredivisie title and the KNVB Cup.
It was at Ajax that Koeman, who was primarily a defender, turned into a 'goalscoring defender'. It is worth knowing that he scored close to 200 goals in his career!
Moving on, PSV signed Koeman in 1986 and in his three years there, he scored 51 in 98 games, winning three Eredivisie titles, two KNVB Cups and a European Cup.
Barcelona brought him to Camp Nou in 1989 and after six years in Spain where he won 10 trophies including the 1991-92 Champions League, he returned to the Netherlands with Feyenoord in 1995, making 61 appearances before retiring at the club.
ProShotsHenk Groot
One of Ajax's greatest strikers ever, Henk Groot joined the club in 1959 and in his four years as part of his first stint there, he scored an eye-watering 116 goals in 124 games.
In 1963, Feyenoord came calling and signed the forward. Groot played for Feyenoord for two years, scoring 34 goals in 54 games, helping them win the 1964-65 Eredivisie title and KNVB Cup.
He returned to Ajax and stayed there for another four years, scoring 46 goals in 101 games and winning three consecutive Eredivisie titles between 1965 and 1968.