Ajax make big investment in forward line
AFC Ajax has announced the acquisition of Brazilian striker Marcos Leonardo from Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal, signing the 23‑year‑old to a five‑year contract in Amsterdam.
The club said the transfer fee was "just under €20 million". Reports indicate Al Hilal will receive a base fee of €17.5 million, with add‑ons that could increase the total to about €19 million.
- Age: 23
- Contract length: five years
- Reported base fee to Al Hilal: €17.5 million
Where the signing sits in club history
The reported fee places Marcos Leonardo among Ajax’s most expensive signings. The club said this makes him the fifth‑most costly arrival in Ajax history, behind Josip Sutalo, Sebastien Haller, Calvin Bassey and Steven Bergwijn.
“We’ve been impressed by Marcos for some time now and are therefore delighted that he has signed for us,” Ajax technical director Jordi Cruyff said on the club website.
Cruyff highlighted the player's experience despite his age, noting that Marcos Leonardo has played “more than 250 official matches as a professional” and scored “over 100 goals.” Cruyff added that the striker’s primary role at Ajax will be to score goals.
Player background and recent career
Marcos Leonardo began his senior career at Santos, making his debut at 17 in 2019. He moved to Benfica in January 2024 for a reported €22 million, and later joined Al Hilal in September 2024 for about €40 million. During his most recent spell, he recorded 48 goals and 4 assists in 82 appearances across all competitions for his clubs.
| Club | Noted fee | Appearances (all comps) | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santos | — | Debuted 2019 | — |
| Benfica | €22m (Jan 2024) | — | — |
| Al Hilal | €40m (Sept 2024) | 82 | 48 |
Implications for Ajax supporters
The arrival of Marcos Leonardo represents a significant outlay by Ajax as the club looks to reinforce its attacking options. The transfer underlines Ajax’s continued willingness to invest in young forwards with established scoring records. For supporters, the signing raises expectations that the club will add proven firepower to its front line.
Ajax said it had monitored Marcos Leonardo since youth competitions, including the 2019 U17 South American Championship. Initial reports of contact between the club, the player and Al Hilal emerged on Sunday morning, with the deal reportedly agreed by early evening that same day.
The club will now integrate a striker with a documented scoring record and extensive professional experience into a squad that has historically relied on young talent developed or acquired at a premium. How quickly Marcos Leonardo adapts to Ajax and the Eredivisie will shape the return on this investment.
