Barcelona lose youth academy star as 16-year-old playmaker signs Ajax contract

Ajax on Wednesday officially announced the signing of 16-year-old playmaker Gomez Saus from Barcelona's famed La Masia academy. Gomez Saus has signed a three-year deal until June 2028.

Gomez Saus' move to Ajax comes after his contract with Barcelona expired in June. Among the most important players for the Catalans' U16 side last season, Gomez Saus opted against continuing in Catalunya due to intense competition for midfield spots. Ajax's sporting and financial vision for the player is believed to have convinced the youngster to seek greener pastures, with the Dutch side potentially offering a clearer path to the first team. Next season, Gomez Saus will feature for Ajax's U17 side.

Ajax sporting director Marijn Beuker expressed his excitement after the unveiling of Gomez Saus as a new acquisition. He said: "Eloi is a typical playmaker for Ajax. He is frequently involved in the build-up play, shows initiative on the ball, and enjoys playing forward. He combines footballing intelligence with technical ability, which allows him to link up play with one or two touches. He had been with FC Barcelona since the age of eight and stood out very positively to us at tournaments and in head-to-head matches. We expect that he will settle in quickly here, and with him, we have added another future gem to our academy."

Ajax will begin their 2025-26 campaign on August 10, when they host newly-promoted Telstar at the Johan Cruyff Arena. It is a new era at Ajax, with John Heitinga set to be their new head coach.