Anton Gaaei Explained

Anton Gaaei
Birth Date:19 November 2002
Birth Place:Viborg, Denmark
Height:1.83 m
Position:Right-back
Currentclub:Ajax
Clubnumber:3
Youthclubs1:Bruunshåb/Tapdrup IF
Youthclubs2:Overlund GF
Youthclubs3:Viborg
Years1:2021–2023
Clubs1:Viborg
Caps1:38
Goals1:0
Years2:2023–
Clubs2:Ajax
Caps2:26
Goals2:1
Years3:2023–
Clubs3:Jong Ajax
Caps3:9
Goals3:0
Nationalyears1:2022
Nationalteam1:Denmark U20
Nationalcaps1:2
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2023–
Nationalteam2:Denmark U21
Nationalcaps2:7
Nationalgoals2:0
Club-Update:18:20, 11 August 2024 (UTC)
Ntupdate:17:50, 30 December 2023 (UTC)

Anton Gaaei (born 19 November 2002) is a Danish professional footballer who plays as a right-back for club Ajax.

Club career

Viborg FF

Anton Gaaei started his career in Bruunshåb/Tapdrup IF and then passed by Overlund GF, before he moved to Viborg.[1] From the summer 2020, Gaaei began training regular with the first team. On 2 September 2020, Gaaei got his official debut for Viborg, as he came on from the bench in the 76th minute against FC Fredericia in the Danish Cup.[2] Three months later, in December 2020, Gaaei signed a new deal with Viborg until June 2023.[3]

In his youth, Gaaei was primarily a winger, but was later converted to right-back. On 1 April 2022, Gaaei got his league debut for Viborg and Danish Superliga debut in a game an against SønderjyskE.[4] Gaaei ended the 2021–22 season with six appearances.

Ajax

On 17 August 2023, Gaaei officially joined Eredivisie side Ajax for a reported fee of DKr35 million[5] (about 4.5 million),[6] signing a five-year contract with the Dutch club.[7] In the process, he broke the transfer record as Viborg's highest-grossing sale.[8]

Gaaei made his competitive debut for the club on 3 September, replacing Devyne Rensch in the 62nd minute of a 0–0 away league draw against Fortuna Sittard.[9] [10] He faced criticism for his early performances, with analysts highlighting his deficient defensive skills and frequent loss of possession.[11] In De Klassieker on 24 September, Gaaei started in the lineup, and went on to make two pivotal mistakes resulting in goals by Santiago Giménez. Consequently, he was substituted for Rensch in the 32nd minute, before the match was temporarily halted due to disruptions from the crowd. Gaaei's performance received scathing reviews, being labeled as "poor" and "naive", and analyst and former coach Mario Been stated that Gaaei did not meet the standards expected to play for Ajax.[12] [13] On 25 February 2024, in a match against AZ, Gaaei again was substituted in the first half after a weak performance.[14]

Personal life

Anton Gaaei is the son of former Viborg FF player, Carsten Gaaei, who later also coached at several clubs.[15] [16]

Career statistics

Club

Club!rowspan="2"
SeasonLeagueNational cupContinentalTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Viborg2021–22Danish Superliga601070
2022–23Danish Superliga2804150371
2023–24Danish Superliga40000040
Total3805150461
Ajax2023–24Eredivisie2511080341
2024–25Eredivisie10001020
Total2611090361
Jong Ajax2023–24Eerste Divisie9090
Career total73161140912

Notes and References

  1. https://www.vff.dk/nyhed/talent/12821-gaaei-belonnes-med-kontrakt Gaaei belønnes med kontrakt
  2. https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2021/09/02/denmark/dbu-pokalen/fc-fredericia/viborg-ff/3609962/ FREDERICIA VS. VIBORG 1 - 1
  3. https://www.vff.dk/nyhed/talent/12821-gaaei-belonnes-med-kontrakt Gaaei belønnes med kontrakt
  4. https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2022/04/01/denmark/superliga/viborg-ff/sonderjyske/3769533/ VIBORG VS. SØNDERJYSKE 2 - 1
  5. Web site: Korse . Otto Christian . 17 August 2023 . Officielt: Anton Gaaei skifter til Ajax i rekordhandel . 18 August 2023 . bold.dk . da.
  6. Web site: 17 August 2023 . Zevende nieuwe speler voor Ajax: rechtsback Gaaei komt over van Viborg . 18 August 2023 . NOS.nl . nl-NL.
  7. Web site: 17 August 2023 . Ajax contracteert Anton Gaaei . 18 August 2023 . AFC Ajax . nl-NL.
  8. Web site: 17 August 2023 . Anton Gaaei solgt til AFC Ajax . 18 August 2023 . Viborg FF . da-DK.
  9. Web site: Fortuna Sittard vs. Ajax 0-0: Summary . Soccerway . Perform Group . 25 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230925204946/https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/09/03/netherlands/eredivisie/fortuna-sittard/afc-ajax/4096691/ . 25 September 2023.
  10. News: Vernieuwd Ajax raakt verder achterop door teleurstellend gelijkspel bij Fortuna . 25 September 2023 . NU . 3 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230923043340/https://www.nu.nl/voetbal/6279329/vernieuwd-ajax-raakt-verder-achterop-door-teleurstellend-gelijkspel-bij-fortuna.html . 23 September 2023 . nl.
  11. News: Rofekamp . Tom . Jack van Gelder test Ajacied nu al af: 'Heb liever iemand die kan verdedigen' . 25 September 2023 . Voetbalzone . 21 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230925210226/https://www.voetbalzone.nl/nieuws/jack-van-gelder-test-ajacied-nu-al-af-heb-liever-iemand-die-kan-verdedigen/424497 . 25 September 2023 . nl.
  12. News: Dissonant Gaaei krijgt wind gigantisch van voren: 'Zo naïef, dit is echt zielig' . 25 September 2023 . Voetbalprimeur . 24 September 2023 . nl-NL.
  13. News: Vlietstra . Bart . Een schouderduw van Feyenoorder Timber en Ajacied Gaaei kukelt omver, het past binnen de nieuwe machtsverhoudingen . 25 September 2023 . De Volkskrant . 24 September 2023 . nl.
  14. Web site: 'Gaaei na bijna fatale fout opnieuw voor rust gewisseld bij Ajax'. NL. 25 February 2023. 26 February 2023.
  15. https://www.tipsbladet.dk/nyhed/superliga/vild-forvandling-nu-afsloerer-dansker-genistregen Vild forvandling: Nu afslører dansker genistregen
  16. https://viborg-folkeblad.dk/navne/carsten-har-altid-vaeret-saelger-og-sportsmand-han-blev-kendt-da-han-spillede-paa-viborg-ff-s-foerstehold-hvor-soennen-anton-i-dag-spiller Carsten har altid været sælger og sportsmand: Han blev kendt, da han spillede på Viborg FF's førstehold, hvor sønnen Anton i dag spiller