The 19-year-old Heerkens has signed a five-year deal in Amsterdam, where he is anticipated to become the primary goalkeeper in the upcoming seasons.
"We are delighted that Joeri Heerkens has chosen Ajax," Ajax director Alex Kroes stated on the club's website.
"Joeri is a gifted young goalkeeper possessing all the qualities necessary for the role: height, reflexes, poise, concentration, and the right mindset. He demonstrates dedication and a tremendous desire to improve. We believe he can develop significantly at Ajax and are confident that, over time, he can evolve into the position of first-choice goalkeeper.”
Heerkens confirmed his exit fromSparta Prague and the Czech Republic on Instagram earlier on Monday.
"The nation where I was born with a purpose, the nation where I took my first steps on the football field, the initial steps toward my dream," Heerkens wrote. "I will always be thankful that you taught me through challenges. You shaped a person who is ready to take on the world, you shaped a person who is ready to achieve his dreams."
The Czech-born Dutch youth international joined Sparta Prague in 2021 after playing for TJ Slovan Broumov, FK Nachod, and FC Hradec Kralove earlier in his youth career. The 19-year-old goalkeeper has yet to make his professional debut for Sparta Prague, despite being included in the matchday squad during the final weeks of the 2024/25 Chance Liga season.
European champion
Heerkens represented the Czech Republic at the youth level until 2023, when he switched to the Netherlands and joined their U18 team. Last summer, Heerkens played every minute of the Under-19 European Championships, which he won with the Netherlands after defeating Spain 1-0 in the final.
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