After excelling in the Ajax and international youth ranks the last two years, Sergiño Dest has earned his first professional contract.
The 18-year-old put pen to paper on Monday to sign a two-and-a-half year contract with Dutch giants Ajax. Dest has been a regular this season with the Ajax U-19 team and has also made five appearances for the Ajax Reserves, scoring one goal.
“I’m very happy with this contract”, Dest said. “On to great things! I want to play as many games as possible with the Ajax Reserves, and become a steady asset. And I hope to make my debut in Ajax 1 this season.”
Dest, who has a Dutch mother and American father, has been in the Ajax youth system since 2012. He was discovered by U.S. Soccer scouts as a youngster and was given his debut with the U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team by then-coach John Hackworth. He went on to play and star at outside back at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2017 before playing a role in the CONCACAF U-20 Championships last month, helping the U.S. U-20s qualify for next year’s World Cup in Poland.
While it’s still very early, Dest’s combination of speed and technique makes him an intriguing outside back prospect moving forward.