Ajax fans have a new name to watch this season—and it’s a familiar one, though the man wearing it insists he’s forging his own path. On January 14, 2026, Ajax officially announced the loan signing of Maximilian Ibrahimović, the 19-year-old son of football legend Zlatan Ibrahimović, from AC Milan. The deal, which runs until the end of the season, includes an option for the Dutch club to make the transfer permanent in the summer. Italian media reported that Ajax paid Milan 3.5 million euros (about $4 million) for the loan, a significant sum for a player yet to make his senior debut in one of Europe’s top leagues.
Maximilian’s arrival at Ajax is more than just a transfer—it’s a continuation of a footballing legacy that spans generations and countries. His father, Zlatan, is a revered figure in Amsterdam, having scored 48 goals in 110 appearances for Ajax between 2001 and 2005. During his spell, the elder Ibrahimović lifted two Dutch league titles and the KNVB Cup before embarking on a globe-trotting career that saw him star for the likes of Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, LA Galaxy, and, of course, AC Milan. Zlatan retired at Milan in 2023 and now serves as a senior adviser to the club’s American owners, playing a key role in player development and—undoubtedly—in his son’s recent move.
Yet, Maximilian is determined to step out from his father’s considerable shadow. "I want to write my own story. I am my own person, my own player, I am here to do my own thing. And I am really looking forward to that," Maximilian told Ajax’s website. He added, "Ibrahimović is just a name. I am just Maximilian. If I cared about my name then it would be all wrong, it wouldn’t even be fun to play if I would always compare myself. I don’t even think I look like him." It’s a sentiment that’s easy to understand—Zlatan is Sweden’s all-time leading scorer and one of the most charismatic strikers of his generation. But Maximilian, a right-footed winger, is intent on being recognized for his own merits.
Those merits are already catching attention. After joining AC Milan’s academy in 2022 from Hammarby IF’s youth setup, Maximilian spent the last six months playing for Milan Futuro, the club’s reserve team competing in Italy’s Serie D. There, he netted five goals in 16 matches, regularly featuring as a forward and honing his skills in a competitive environment. Although he hasn’t yet appeared for Milan’s senior side, he was part of the squad that traveled to Saudi Arabia for the Italian Super Cup last month, indicating the club’s belief in his potential.
Ajax director of football Marijn Beuker is certainly a believer. "We are very pleased with the arrival of Maximilian. He is a talented forward with a good sense of positioning in and around the penalty area, and he has strong goal-oriented finishing," Beuker said. "He is skillful with his dribbling and, above all, has a great winner’s mentality and training attitude." Beuker outlined that Maximilian will mainly play for Ajax’s under-23 side initially, but will regularly move between the reserves and the first team to acclimate to the higher level and intensity of Eredivisie football. "Maximilian is a player with a lot of potential, and we hope that in time he can become a permanent part of Ajax 1’s attack," Beuker added.
For Ajax, the move is both practical and symbolic. The club is known for its world-class youth development system, having produced stars like Johan Cruyff, Dennis Bergkamp, and more recently Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt. Adding a player of Maximilian’s pedigree—both in name and in raw talent—fits the Ajax ethos perfectly. The hope is that, with time and the right guidance, he’ll develop into a key attacking asset for the club.
Maximilian’s journey is also a family affair. His younger brother, Vincent Ibrahimović, recently signed his first professional contract with AC Milan at just 17 and is also involved with Milan Futuro. It’s clear that the Ibrahimović name will continue to echo through European football for years to come, though each sibling is charting his own course.
The timing of Maximilian’s arrival is noteworthy for Ajax, who currently sit third in the Eredivisie with a record of 9 wins, 3 draws, and 6 losses as of January 14, 2026. The Sons of the Gods are 16 points behind league leaders PSV and three points adrift of second-placed Feyenoord. The club faces AZ Alkmaar in the Round of 16 of the Dutch Cup on January 21, 2026, and will host Go Ahead Eagles in league play on January 17, 2026. With a congested fixture list and competition on multiple fronts, depth and fresh attacking options are at a premium.
It’s not just the fans who are eager to see what Maximilian brings to the table. The media and football pundits are watching closely, curious to see whether the young Swede can live up to the weighty expectations that come with his surname. But as Maximilian himself has repeatedly emphasized, he’s not here to mimic his father’s career—he’s here to build his own.
While some might expect the pressure to be overwhelming, Maximilian seems unfazed. "If I would care about my name, I would be in university to study, I wouldn’t play football. If I cared, then it would be all wrong. It wouldn’t even be fun to play, if I always compared myself (to him). I don’t think I even look like him, we don’t play the same position and I’m maybe three or four inches shorter than him, so we’re so different," he said in an interview with Ajax. That blend of humility and determination could serve him well as he embarks on this new chapter in Amsterdam.
As the season unfolds, Maximilian Ibrahimović will have ample opportunity to showcase his talents, both with Ajax’s under-23s and, potentially, with the first team. Whether he becomes a permanent fixture in Ajax’s attack remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure—the story of the Ibrahimović family in European football is far from over, and Maximilian is eager to write his own unique chapter at one of the continent’s most storied clubs.
For now, Ajax fans will be watching closely as the young Swede takes his first steps in the famous red and white. The journey is just beginning, and all eyes are on Maximilian as he looks to make his mark in Amsterdam—on his own terms.
