Melbourne teen Sebastian Pasquali set for Ajax audition in under-19 season opener

TEEN sensation Sebastian Pasquali will finally make his official Ajax Amsterdam debut, nine months after joining the Dutch giant.

2016 International Champions Cup Soccer. Melbourne Victory V Juventus at the MCG, July 23 2016. Sebastian Pasquali in action for Victory. Picture: Mark Stewart

TEEN sensation Sebastian Pasquali will finally make his official Ajax Amsterdam debut, nine months after joining the Dutch giant.

The Herald Sun can reveal that Pasquali has been cleared to play for Ajax’s youth team, after red-tape prolonged his registration process.

Ajax officials confirmed that Pasquali, 17, was free to play and was set to debut in next Saturday’s Under 19 Super Cup match against PSV.

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“We are very pleased that we finally have clearance from the FIFA for Sebastian. Now he is able to play official matches for Ajax. He will start this season in our under 19 squad, the highest youth team,” an Ajax spokesperson said.

Australians cannot sign for European clubs until they are 18, but Pasquali’s representatives were of the belief his Italian passport would ensure a swift process. It was anything but.

The clearance concludes the protracted saga, which drew criticism from Victory coach Kevin Muscat, who last March said: “It’s another good lesson for these younger players who put their trust and faith in people with no knowledge (of FIFA regulations). There’s a lot of impostors out there.’’

Pasquali rejected a full-time Melbourne Victory contract last October after five impressive substitute appearances to sign a two-year deal with Ajax, and was unveiled by the four-time European champion on November 26.

Sebastian Pasquali impressed in the 2016 International Champions Cup match between Melbourne Victory and Juventus. Picture: Mark Stewart

As is usually the case with situations involving under-18 players — classified by FIFA as “minors” — the clearance took months.

FIFA granted Pasquali “prior approval for the international transfer of a minor” on March 31, which then enabled the Dutch federation to request an International Transfer Clearance (ITC) from Football Federation Australia.

As that can only be done during the European transfer window, which opened on June 9 in Holland, FFA swiftly issued Pasquali’s ITC to the Dutch federation on June 20.

The Wangaratta boy will hope to work his way into Ajax Jong (reserves), whom he has trained with and play in the Dutch second division.

Ajax’s habit of blooding kids means strong Jong performances are often rewarded and Pasquali hopes to make up for lost time.

His last game was for Victory in the 2-1 win away to Adelaide United where he set up Marco Rojas’ winner with the second-last touch of the game.

Pasquali made a stunning debut, age 16, against Juventus in the International Champions Cup clash at the MCG, which alerted overseas clubs to his potential.

Juventus made a play, but Pasquali opted for Ajax, as it has been renowned for its youth development for decades.

“Ajax has got a long history of producing and promoting young players and on to bigger clubs, some of the best players in the world have come from their youth system,” Pasquali said.

“I believe this is best for me to become the best footballer I can be. I’d love to be able to represent the first team eventually.”