Youri Baas

Youri Baas (born 17 March 2003) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a centre-back or left-back for Eredivisie club Ajax.

A product of the De Toekomst youth setup, Baas began his professional career as a left-back before successfully transitioning into a left-sided central defender. After a loan spell at N.E.C., he established himself as a key starter for Ajax, winning the Ajax Talent of the Year award in 2025 and the Ajax Player of the Year award for the 2025–26 season.

Club career

Early career and Jong Ajax Born in Oostvoorne, Baas began playing youth football with local amateur side OVV before joining the youth academy of Excelsior in 2012. In 2018, he moved to the Ajax Youth Academy.

Baas made his professional debut with Jong Ajax in a 2–2 Eerste Divisie draw against De Graafschap on 11 December 2020, entering as an 86th-minute substitute for Naci Ünüvar. On 26 March 2021, he signed a contract extension keeping him in Amsterdam until June 2024.

Ajax Baas made his senior first-team debut for Ajax on 28 August 2022, coming on as a substitute in a 2–0 Eredivisie victory over FC Utrecht. He registered ten appearances across the Eredivisie, KNVB Cup, and UEFA Champions League during the 2022–23 season. Utilized as both a left-back and left midfielder by manager Rogier Meijer, he made 25 league appearances and scored three goals.

Positional transition and Player of the Year (2024–2026) Upon returning to Ajax for the 2024–25 season, head coach Francesco Farioli converted Baas from a left-back into a left-sided central defender, forming a central pairing alongside Josip Šutalo. He received a red card following two yellow cards in a UEFA Europa League match against Slavia Prague on 3 October 2024. On 20 December 2024, Baas signed a new contract extension with Ajax through 30 June 2028.

During the 2025–26 season, Baas solidified his position as Ajax's primary left-centre-back and wore the captain's armband in an Eredivisie match against his former club N.E.C.

In March 2025, national team manager Ronald Koeman called up Baas to the senior Netherlands squad for the UEFA Nations League quarter-final matches against Spain.

Style of play Initially trained as an attacking full-back, Baas developed into a ball-playing central defender under Francesco Farioli. Known for his tactical intelligence, pressing resistance, and high-volume line-breaking passing, he has cited former teammate Daley Blind as a major influence on his ability to delay passes to manipulate opposition pressure. To meet the physical demands of central defence, Baas added four kilograms of muscle mass during his physical development at Ajax.