Heartwarming moment as Ajax 'sign' chronically-ill fan, 8, and then give him debut in video

By Joe Strange

PUBLISHED: 09:45 EST, 17 December 2013 | UPDATED: 12:22 EST, 17 December 2013

Ajax have made the dreams of seriously ill eight-year-old fan Jay-Jay Willems come true - by signing him for the first team.

After being informed that the youngster was suffering with irritable bowel syndrome, the Dutch club's foundation stepped in to create a video of Jay-Jay being scouted during a training session, taking part in a press conference and playing against NEC Breda.

In the 90 second clip, the youngster meets manager Frank de Boer, gets a ride to the Amsterdam Arena in a Mercedes and pulls on the club's famous red and white shirt in the home dressing room.

Scroll down to watch the video of Ajax making Jay-Jay's dreams come true

On the ball: Ajax fan Jay-Jay Willems shows off his skills at Ajax's training ground in the specially made club video

On the ball: Ajax fan Jay-Jay Willems shows off his skills at Ajax's training ground in the specially made club video

Sign him up: Ajax boss Frank de Boer hands Jay-Jay some boots and training kit after he impresses in training

Sign him up: Ajax boss Frank de Boer hands Jay-Jay some boots and training kit after he impresses in training

Big future: Willems is shown off to the Dutch media in a press conference with de Boer

Big future: Willems is shown off to the Dutch media in a press conference with de Boer

Arriving in style: Jay-Jay is dropped to Ajax's Amsterdam Arena in a Mercedes ahead of his debut

Arriving in style: Jay-Jay is dropped to Ajax's Amsterdam Arena in a Mercedes ahead of his debut

Jay-Jay is snapped-up by boss de Boer after impressing in training and the Holland legend has some kind words to say about the wannabe winger.

In front of the assembled media, De Boer says: 'I would like to introduce a new player. Jay-Jay is a left forward and during training he got our attention.

'With his qualities we think he eventually can play with the first team.’

Getting ready: The youngster changes into Ajax's famous red and white kit before his big moment

Getting ready: The youngster changes into Ajax's famous red and white kit before his big moment

Squad member: Jay-Jay's name and number are displayed on the big screen at the Amsterdam Arena

Squad member: Jay-Jay's name and number are displayed on the big screen at the Amsterdam Arena

Magic moment: Jay-Jay gets to play with his Ajax heroes as thousands of home fans watch him in action

Magic moment: Jay-Jay gets to play with his Ajax heroes as thousands of home fans watch him in action

And Dutch TV channel Fox News also got in on the production, getting one of their football pundits to give more words of encouragement to Jay-Jay.

He said: 'Look at this guy from Ajax. Jay-Jay is a fast, smart, roguish player. He knows a lot about football, you can see that in the way he moves.

'Pay attention to this little guy, another hero is born at Ajax, Jay-Jay Willems.'

The Ajax Foundation aim to give sick children a day they'll never forget. Jay-Jay certainly won't be forgetting his in a hurry.

 

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That made me tear up. Well done Ajax!

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Now this is a proper football club. Well done AJAX. Huge respect.

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Well done Ajax, showing the true spirit of football.

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Great story and well done Ajax.

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Fantastic, great to see the business of football, can show their human side for a young person, well done Ajax

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Excellent. A dream come true for that young lad. Well done Ajax

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Well done Ajax of Amsterdam.........this is what the world's most beautiful game should do to people's lives.....big-up!!!!!!

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Fantastic thing to do hats off

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Can imagine our premier teams doing this as well can't you? Oh you cynical lot!

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Well done Ajax! Very similar to the San Francisco batman gesture. Hats off too you all for making these children's lives that bit more special.

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