Klaassen could join elite Ajax list, nicknamed 'Sjakie'

Davy Klaassen, the 33‑year‑old midfielder, can become the eighth Ajax player to reach 400 appearances when he takes the field on Thursday evening in the third qualifying round of the Conference League against Irish side Shelbourne. The match will be played at the Johan Cruyff Arena for his club.

The 400th appearance would place Klaassen behind only seven Ajax legends who have previously reached that milestone, highlighting his longevity at the club.

Frank de Boer recalled that he gave Klaassen his debut for Ajax in 2011 and praised him on the official club website, calling him "a real Ajax player from youth who has remained that way all his life, a true number ten with good technique, the right mentality and scoring ability." De Boer added that the nickname "mister 1‑0" suits Klaassen because "he has a great sense of where the ball will come. Davy does not react, he anticipates. That is his strength."

Former teammate Veltman also lauded Klaassen, saying, "The way Davy plays means he can keep doing this for many years. I am convinced of that. He will probably never break the record of Mister Ajax (Sjaak Swart), but many more games are coming. I do not call him 'Sjakie' for nothing. Davy is a real Ajax player. One hundred percent."

De Boer emphasized how important feeling at home is for the midfielder, noting, "He feels very comfortable at Ajax, perhaps the most important thing for Davy. Just like Blind, he knows what is required in Amsterdam and is a child of the club. He can be an extension of the trainer and he guards the Ajax system."

Only Sjaak Swart, Wim Suurbier, Danny Blind, Piet Keizer, Ruud Krol, Frank de Boer and Bennie Muller have previously logged 400 matches for Ajax, making them the exclusive group of Ajacieden with such a record.

If Klaassen makes any minutes on Thursday night at the Johan Cruyff Arena against Shelbourne, his appearance tally will rise to exactly four hundred, cementing his place among the club’s most enduring figures.