Top 5 teenage defenders to look forward to next season 

#3 Kik Pierie (19 years old, CB/LB)

Kik Pierie (5th from left) represented the Netherlands at youth level

How do you replace a 19-year-old leader of your team when he leaves for Juventus? Well, Ajax are going with as many capable young centre-backs as they can find. The signing of the young Mexican Edson Alvarez has been the highlight, but they also have another 19-year-old Perr Schurrs in reserve.

Yet, one of the exciting buys for Ajax is the low profile transfer of 19-year-old American/Dutch Kik Pierie, who plays both at centre-back and left-back. He's featured for Ajax already in pre-season at the full-back position.

Even voorstellen! 📇👦 Kik Pierie🌟 18 jaar oud🗿 Verdediger📝 5-jarig contract#WelkomKik

— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) April 17, 2019

Pierie has been immense in the Heerenveen defence for the last two seasons. He's eager to step out of defence with the ball and does well spraying it around and breaking lines with his passing. His great vision earned him 3 assists last season and he bagged a couple of goals for Heerenveen as well.

There's no doubt that the youngster will face stiff competition from the likes of Alvarez, Schurrs, and Blind, but with two seasons of top-flight experience in the Eredivisie, we can expect to see a fair bit of him at Ajax.