Johan Cruyff will soon have a statue outside the arena that already bears his name after Ajax fans raised the funds required in just three months.
Having begun the campaign in August, money was raised via online donations and through collections at Ajax matches, with a whopping €75,000 pitched in between then and now.
Supporters of @AFCAjax pay tribute to Johan within 3 months. The statute will be placed in front of the Johan Cruijff ArenA. Well done! #CruyffLegacy @cruijffarena https://t.co/0MZkp3rXvX
— Johan Cruyff (@JohanCruyff) 19 October 2018
Discussions are now underway to decide upon which artist the fan group wish to complete the sculpture of Cruyff and just where outside the stadium it will be installed, with a decision due before the end of the year.
Herjan Pullen, a spokesman for the group, told dezemanverdienteenstandbeeld.nl:
We are proud that so many supporters have donated for the statue of Cruyff, the greatest footballer that Ajax and the Netherlands have ever produced.
We are also impressed by the fact that the money was collected so quickly.
Our objective to reveal the statue in less than two seasons will now certainly succeed.
Good on ’em. If anybody warrants a statue outside the Johan Cruyff Arena, it’s Johan Cruyff.