Over the years, Ajax has had some incredibly creative players who have wowed fans with their skill in the club’s history. However, skill is nothing without an end product.
While some players get accolades for scoring goals, many forget the players who create those all-important goals. Here are the players who have created the most goals in the history of Ajax:
Johan Cruyff (185 assists in 375 appearances)
It is no surprise that the great Cruyff leads the way in assists in Ajax history, having produced 185 goals in 332 games in all competitions.
The forward, considered by many to be one of the finest players the beautiful game has ever seen, also scored 236 goals in his playing career in the Dutch capital.
Cruyff’s goals and assists played a crucial role in Ajax winning three consecutive European Cups from 1971-1973.
On an individual basis, Cruyff won the Ballon d’Or on three occasions in 1971, 1973 and 1974, with the first two won during his time at Ajax.
Piet Keizer (125 assists in 365 appearances)
Way behind on the Dutch club’s assist chart is Cruyff’s former teammate, who, in addition to scoring 125 goals, also produced the same number of assists in all competitions.
The winger was an excellent servant to the Dutch giants, playing for the club from 1961 until 1974, like Cruyff, helping the club to its now-famous three straight triumphs in the European Cup in the 1970s.
Dusan Tadic (111 assists in 241 appearances)
The Serbian star joined Ajax after an inconsistent spell at then-Premier League outfit Southampton. He thrived in his five years in the Dutch capital, helping his team to three Dutch top-flight titles.
Not only did the attacking midfielder have an eye for goal-scoring, but also set up goals for his teammates, producing 111 assists in 241 appearances in all competitions.
Tadic had previously also played in the Eredivisie for Groningen and Twente before his spell in the English top flight with the Saints.
The attacking midfielder won the Dutch Player of the Year award in season 2020/21. He also won the Provider of the Year award in the Eredivisie in all five seasons with Ajax.
Sjaak Swart (96 assists in 596 appearances)
‘Mr Ajax’ played for the Dutch club from 1956 until 1974, making 596 appearances in his career with the Dutch giants. Swart not only produced 96 assists but also scored 164 goals in 17 seasons.
During his time with the Amsterdam club, Swart was a Dutch champion on seven occasions, winning the European Cup three times and the Dutch Cup on five occasions.
Frank Arnesen (82 assists in 213 appearances)
The Danish midfielder played for Ajax from 1975 until 1981, with the Dutch club being his first in his professional career. He scored 75 goals as well as producing 82 assists in all competitions.
During his Ajax career, he won four Eredivisie titles and the KNVB Cup on one occasion.
Arnesen returned to the Netherlands in 1985 and played for Ajax’s rivals PSV for three seasons. The highlight of his stay in Eindhoven was winning the European Cup in 1988.
Hakim Ziyech (81 assists in 165 appearances)
Having impressed at Eredivisie rivals Heerenveen and FC Twente before the Moroccan joined Ajax in 2016. The attacking midfielder spent four very successful seasons with the Amsterdammers.
Ziyech was a major creative force during his time in the Dutch capital, producing 81 assists in 165 appearances. Along with his assists, the attacking midfielder also scored 49 goals for Ajax.
His goal contribution helped his team to win the Eredivisie and the KNVB in 2019.
Ziyech won Ajax Player of the Season in three of his four campaigns with the Dutch giants before making a big move to Premier League Chelsea in the summer of 2020.
Soren Lerby (69 assists in 269 appearances)
The Danish midfielder joined Ajax in 1975 and played for the Amsterdammers until 1983. From the centre of the park, Lerby illustrated his creativity by producing 69 assists and scoring 66 goals.
Lerby won the Eredivisie five times during his time with Ajax while also lifting the KNVB Cup on two occasions.
He left Ajax in 1983 to join Bayern Munich before returning to the Netherlands with PSV, where he won the Eredivisie on two occasions, as well as the European Cup in 1988.
Luis Suarez (68 assists in 159 appearances)
The Uruguayan forward joined Ajax in 2007 after impressing for Groningen and spent four seasons with the team from Amsterdam.
Suarez enjoyed his time in the Dutch capital, scoring 111 goals and producing a respectable 68 assists before a big move to Liverpool in 2011.
The forward won the Eredivisie on one occasion in 2011 and the KNVB Cup in 2010. Suarez also won the Eredivisie Golden Boot in season 2009/10, having scored an impressive 35 goals in 32 appearances in the Dutch top-flight.