Twenty years old, 1.90 metres tall, Netherlands international, first-team regular for Ajax and already proven in the Champions League - that’s new FCB signing Ryan Gravenberch! We introduce you to the midfielder, who’s signed a contract at Bayern until 2027:
Athleticism meets finesse
Teammates again: Gravenberch will be reunited at Bayern with Noussair Mazraoui, who also joined from Ajax last month.
The tall and athletic Dutchman, who also boasts an elegant style of play, has been on a rapid rise. Gravenberch has played in Munich twice before in an Ajax shirt, in October 2018 and July 2021. The first time was with the U19s in the UEFA Youth League at the Campus, and the second in a friendly last summer at the Allianz Arena - both games ending 2-2. Shortly before his appearance at the Campus, the then 16-year-old had made his debut in the Eredivisie in a 3-0 defeat against PSV Eindhoven in September 2018.
Gravenberch’s first outing in Munich was at U19 level in October 2018 in the UEFA Youth League at the FC Bayern Campus.
Now the Amsterdam-born Netherlands international of Surinamese descent has two seasons of regular first-team football at Ajax under his belt. Gravenberch - who wore the number 8 shirt for the Amsterdam club - made 32 league appearances in the 2020/21 campaign and 30 last term. The right-footer has also played in the Champions League 14 times.
Netherlands international
In action for the Oranje: The midfielder has 10 caps for the Dutch national team to date.
Ryan Jiro Gravenberch, to give him his full name, joined the Ajax academy from AVV Zeeburgia in 2010. He rose through the ranks for both club and country and ultimately made it into the Netherlands senior team, making his debut on 24 March 2021 at the age of 18 in a World Cup qualifier against Turkey. The energetic midfielder now has 10 caps to his name and one goal, including two appearances at last year’s European Championship. As a 19-year-old at the time, Gravenberch could have still played in the U21 EURO but Oranje coach Frank de Boer chose to call him up for the men’s tournament.
Flexible midfielder
Gravenberchs’s last coach at Ajax was Erik ten Hag. The former Bayern reserves boss has taken over at Manchester United for next season.
Whether it’s against strong competition in central midfield in the Ajax and Netherlands squads, or in the middle of the park - Gravenberch knows how to assert himself. His physical robustness and technical finesse make him a flexible option, who can play as a holding midfielder or in a more attacking role. The ambitious young player’s goal at Bayern should be clear: to win more trophies. His three Eredivisie titles with Ajax, two cup successes and the U17 EURO title from 2018 should just be the beginning.
All the info on the signing here:
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