17-year-old midfielder Lily Yohanes is the latest Eredivisie‘s Johan Cruijff Talent of the Season winner.
The American scored five goals and dished four assists in 20 matches for Ajax in the 2023-24 campaign. Aged 16, she became the youngest player ever to start a UEFA Women’s Champions League match.
Before she turned 17, the teenager scored in her USWNT debut in a 3-0 friendly win over South Korea last June.
“This one will be special. Class player,” said her veteran teammate Lindsey Horan after the match.
New USWNT boss Emma Hayes knows “game” when she sees it. Let’s hope the Netherlands don’t steal her from the USWNT.
Born in Springfield, Virginia, Yohanese moved to Holland at age 10 and started training at Ajax youth academy at age 13. This year, she applied for Dutch citizenship but has yet to make her long-term allegiance known. This is why the player decided to skip the potential call-up to the Paris Olympic Games.
“I will continue to work with Lily beyond the Olympics and I really do hope that she will be part of our future,” coach Hayes said.
“But at this moment, she wasn’t ready to make that decision, and I fully support it.” Let’s hope she’ll be suiting up for the Stars and Stripes in the 2027 World Cup.
Lily Yohannes accepts the Johan Cruyff Award
As Johan Cryuff’s latest award recipient, Yohannes receives financial backing from the Netherlands charitable lottery system, Vrienden Loterij, to build a Cruyff Court in a location of her choice.
Yohannes’ location of choice has yet to be revealed.
“Honored to be awarded Johan Cruyff Talent of the Year! Super special and such a prestigious honor to now be listed among the many amazing players who have won this historic award. Great way to conclude a memorable season! God is good!” she said after Frank Rijkaard handed her the award and the mini-statue of Johan Cruyff that comes with it.
For Yohannes, the award is just the beginning. The talent is real and the sky is the limit!
