Ajax have secured a new head of scouting for the club after several months of search, the club confirmed.
Kevin De Lang succeeds Henk Veldmate, who returns to FC Groningen after seven years at Ajax. De Lang reached an agreement with Ajax on a contract that runs until June 30, 2027. He is currently working at Manchester City as head of talent partnerships & placements.
Director of football Sven Mislintat has praised the appointment of De Lang who believes is a brilliant fit to club and fits in well with its identity.
Director of football Sven Mislintat said: “We are happy that Kelvin has decided to sign with Ajax. He is the right person for this job. We were looking for a modern head scout with knowledge of the current international football world. Kelvin knows what Ajax stands for.
“With the experience he has gained at City and his competences brings additional qualities to the current scouting team. I am very much looking forward to working closely with him.”
Amsterdam-born De Lang joins the club with an impressive CV which will excite both the fans and the club’s hierarchy as they prepare to win the Eredivisie title back next season after failing to defend their title from Feyenoord.
He holds a CIOS diploma and a UEFA A license and completed the HBO Sports Management course at Johan Cruyff University.
The 43-year-old scout trained various youth teams at HFC Haarlem from 2002 to 2005, after which he held positions in scouting, recruiting and marketing at three different management agencies in the period 2005 to 2017.
After that 12-year spell, he left for England where he joined the scouting organisation of Premier League champions Manchester City where he stayed until this summer.
In his new position at Ajax, De Lang will lead the Scouting Professional Football department and report to director of football affairs Mislintat.
He will join the club beginning of August.
