Former Netherlands international Jermain Lens revealed in a recent interview that his abrupt departure from Ajax at age fourteen left him emotionally devastated and convinced his football career was over before it began. Speaking with Taxi Takkies, the 38-year-old recounted how the club cut ties with him over alleged mentality problems, plunging the young prospect into a crisis that nearly ended his ambition of turning professional.
Ajax Youth Departure Left Lens Heartbroken
Lens spent six formative years in the Ajax youth academy after joining at age eight, but the club dismissed him at fourteen due to perceived attitude issues, as he previously shared with Voetbal International. According to Lens, the sudden expulsion shattered his reality. Everyone in his circle talked about his association with the club, making the dismissal a crushing blow that left him crying and fearing he would never play football again.
Did you know? Jermain Lens earned 34 caps for the Netherlands national team and played for major clubs across Europe, including PSV, Fenerbahçe, and Sunderland, after rebuilding his career following his early Ajax setback.
Career Rebound and Revenge on the Pitch
After hitting rock bottom following his release, Lens managed to restart his path in professional football through Almere City. He steadily worked his way upward through NEC, AZ, and PSV, eventually securing high-profile moves abroad to Dynamo Kyiv, Sunderland, and Fenerbahçe. Despite building a successful career, the bitterness of his teenage dismissal never faded. Lens told Taxi Takkies that he retained zero emotional attachment to Ajax afterward and used the snub as fuel, claiming he scored or provided an assist in nearly every subsequent match he played against his former club because a specific competitive energy took over.
Jermain Lens career after early Ajax release
Why did Ajax dismiss Jermain Lens as a teenager?
Ajax released Lens at age fourteen due to what the club identified as mentality problems.
Which clubs did Jermain Lens play for after leaving Ajax?
After leaving Ajax, Lens rebuilt his career through Almere City, later playing for NEC, AZ, PSV, Dynamo Kyiv, Sunderland, and Fenerbahçe.
How many times did Lens represent the Netherlands?
Lens earned 34 international caps for the Netherlands national team during his career.
How did Lens perform in matches against Ajax later in his career?
Lens stated that the dismissal motivated him so intensely that he recorded a goal or an assist in virtually every match he subsequently played against Ajax.