In the hallowed halls of Ajax’s academy lie the beginnings of many a great career. A production line of talent that has not only provided world class players to the club’s first team, it has also served the Dutch national team incredibly well. For so many players, including the New England Revolution’s new signing Geoffrey Castillion, it is the education they receive at this early stage that propels them into a professional soccer career.
Yet with little known about the striker, just what have the Revs gained?
First and foremost a player that gained a fantastic soccer education. The 23-year-old spent time at the same Amsterdam youth club that produced Ruud Gullit and Frank Rijkaard before Ajax sought to introduce him to their own academy set up.
Winning the league with Ajax’s youth team, it was in the club’s academy that he first worked under current Ajax coach Frank de Boer. Compared to former Ajax star Patrick Kluivert in his youth, his ascent to the first team would undoubtedly have been quicker had it not been for an unfortunate knee injury in his teens.
Standing at 6-foot-3, Castillion is blessed with a physicality and power that makes him the ideal candidate to operate as a target man. Although comparisons were often made towards Ajax hero Kluivert, he has also occasionally been likened to Tottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor in his style of play.
Earning international recognition at youth level, as well as reported interest from Premier League side Arsenal, Ajax coach Marco Van Basten was keen to protect Castillion from potential foreign suitors. Making his debut with the Dutch U17s, he shone during the 2008 European Championships by finishing his side’s top scorer.
With a first team debut seemingly imminent, it failed to materialize. Cast behind Luis Suarez and Serbian forward Miralem Sulejmani, who had broken Dutch transfer records when he moved to Ajax, it is unsurprising that the Amsterdam native did not see first team opportunities forthcoming.
Continuing to bide his time in the second string, known as Jong Ajax (Young Ajax), Castillion’s development was also hampered by injury. However, after a promotion for his former coach de Boer to the role of first team manager, things began to look up for Castillion. With de Boer preferring to give opportunities to the club’s youth products, as had been the mantra of Ajax for many years, Castillion and a number of his young teammates came to the fore.
Handed his debut on March 20, 2011, wearing the number 42, Castillion prepared himself before running onto the field in place of Dario Cvitanich.
In May there was cause for another celebration as he was handed a new contract. Speaking at the time, his manager said: “Geoffrey is a great talent. He has speed, he can score, and he’s strong. This new contract shows that we have faith in him. He could become a great forward for Ajax.”
Yet still his play required refinement. Loaned to a trio of sides in the Eredivisie during his Ajax career, Castillion first moved to RKC Waalwijk. Netting his first goal in the Dutch top flight against Roda JC, he continued to show flashes of talent.
Sent to Heracles Almelo at the beginning of the 2012 campaign, Castillion began the season on the bench for the Heraclieden, before graduating to a starting position in November. Agreeing a further extension in March of last year, last season once again saw Castillion sent away to gain experience.
Now 23, Castillion arrives in New England at an important point in his career. Granted a fresh start in new surroundings, Castillion’s assets are ones that could very easily see him thrive in Major League Soccer.
Given the Revs have often lined up in a 4-1-4-1 this season, Castillion is a prime candidate to sit at the point of the attack, bringing the club’s talented midfielders like Lee Nguyen, Diego Fagundez and Daigo Kobayashi into play. Considering he cost the club nothing to acquire, Castillion could easily prove to be a shrewd signing come the end of the campaign.
