{"product_id":"1997-98-ajax-shirt","title":"Ajax Away Shirt 1997-98 Umbro Vintage | Size L","description":"\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.8em;font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:16px;\"\u003eAjax Away Kit 1997-98 Umbro — The era of the Amsterdam Arena giants\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:1.1em;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003eIn 1997-98, \u003cstrong\u003eAjax Amsterdam\u003c\/strong\u003e went through a period of rebuilding after the golden years that captivated all of Europe — and this \u003cstrong\u003eUmbro away kit\u003c\/strong\u003e is a direct testament to that. Worn by names that still make football purists dream, this size L \u003cstrong\u003evintage Ajax jersey\u003c\/strong\u003e in 8\/10 condition is an authentic piece of history for any serious collector.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;margin-top:28px;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003eJersey details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:2;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeason:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1997-98\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClub:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ajax Amsterdam\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Away\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eManufacturer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Umbro\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8\/10\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eState:\u003c\/strong\u003e LITTLE PULLS — authentic wear of a worn vintage jersey, some slight fabric pulls that only add to the character of the jersey\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;margin-top:28px;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003eWhat this jersey represents\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:14px;\"\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003e1997-98 Ajax season\u003c\/strong\u003e is set in a particularly interesting context: the Dutch club is coming out of a period of absolute domination with the \u003cstrong\u003e1995 Champions League\u003c\/strong\u003e and successive European finals, but now has to rebuild after the departures of Van der Sar, Davids, Seedorf, Kluivert and co. This is not an era of decline — it is an era of transition, of renewal, and Ajax remains one of Europe's most feared clubs despite everything. The \u003cstrong\u003eJohan Cruijff Arena\u003c\/strong\u003e, inaugurated a few seasons earlier, still vibrates with the exploits of the most successful team in the Netherlands.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003eAnd in this pivotal period, the squad remains impressive. \u003cstrong\u003eJari Litmanen\u003c\/strong\u003e, the magical Finn whose vision of the game was worthy of the greatest number 10s of his generation, still proudly wore this jersey. Alongside him, the legendary \u003cstrong\u003eMichael Laudrup\u003c\/strong\u003e — yes, the absolutely classy Dane, one of the most elegant players in the history of European football — also donned these colors. Not to mention \u003cstrong\u003eShota Arveladze\u003c\/strong\u003e, the effective and unsettling Georgian striker, \u003cstrong\u003eTijani Babangida\u003c\/strong\u003e the ultra-fast Nigerian winger, and \u003cstrong\u003eDani\u003c\/strong\u003e, the Brazilian-born Spanish player whose dribbles through the middle delighted Amsterdam Arena supporters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;margin-top:28px;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003eMoments etched in this jersey\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLitmanen, Amsterdam's playmaker\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nJari Litmanen was one of Ajax's cornerstones for several seasons, and in 1997-98 he continued to illuminate the Eredivisie with his laser passes and decisive goals. To see his name associated with this away jersey is to directly touch the legacy of one of the most beloved foreign players in the club's history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMichael Laudrup — a passing legend at the Amsterdam Arena\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nWhen a player of \u003cstrong\u003eMichael Laudrup's\u003c\/strong\u003e caliber dons a jersey, that jersey takes on a different dimension. The former world-class Barcelona and Juventus player brought to Ajax that season an experience and reading of the game that few clubs in the world could afford.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAjax in the 1997-98 Champions League\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nDespite the squad rebuilding, \u003cstrong\u003eAjax still participated in the Champions League group stage\u003c\/strong\u003e, maintaining their status as a leading European club. This away jersey is the one the team wore to challenge major continental teams away from the Amsterdam Arena.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;margin-top:28px;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003eAuthentic vs. Replica\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:14px;\"\u003eAn \u003cstrong\u003eauthentic vintage jersey\u003c\/strong\u003e is not a reproduction. It is the real piece, made at the time to be worn on a field or bought in an official club store. The finishes, the fabrics, the inner labels — everything is period, and \u003cstrong\u003eUmbro\u003c\/strong\u003e in the 90s produced characteristic materials that any collector recognizes by touch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003eThis jersey is in \u003cstrong\u003e8\/10 condition with some slight fabric pulls (little pulls)\u003c\/strong\u003e — a completely normal wear for a piece that is almost thirty years old and has truly lived. It is not visible from a distance, it does not affect the solidity of the jersey, and for serious collectors, it is even proof that the piece is authentic and has not been vacuum-sealed in a warehouse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;margin-top:28px;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003eVintage size guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:14px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVintage sizes from the 90s are significantly smaller than modern sizes\u003c\/strong\u003e. A 1997 L often corresponds to a current M, sometimes even an S depending on body types. The cuts of the time were more fitted, shorter, without the excess fabric of contemporary jerseys — which is precisely what gives them that recognizable and sought-after style.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003eBefore ordering, \u003cstrong\u003etake your flat measurements\u003c\/strong\u003e: chest circumference and back length in particular. Compare them to the actual dimensions of the jersey that we provide on request. Do not rely solely on the size letter indicated on the label — an Umbro 1997 L is not a Nike 2024 L.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;margin-top:28px;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003eWhy have it in your collection\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:14px;\"\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eAjax 1997-98 away kit\u003c\/strong\u003e ticks all the boxes for a vintage football collector's grail: a great European club, an iconic nineties equipment manufacturer with \u003cstrong\u003eUmbro\u003c\/strong\u003e, a pivotal era in the club's history, and legendary players who are part of the pantheon of 90s football. Jerseys from this Ajax era are increasingly sought after on the market, and examples in good condition are becoming rare as the years go by.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003eAn \u003cstrong\u003e8\/10 with only a few slight pulls\u003c\/strong\u003e is honestly a very good rating for a piece from that era. There aren't many in this condition still floating around on the market — most jerseys from that generation have either been worn threadbare or lost in damp attics. This one has survived almost three decades while maintaining its dignity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;margin-top:28px;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003eTo go further\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"line-height:2.2;margin-bottom:16px;\"\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/AFC_Ajax\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eAjax Amsterdam — Wikipedia\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.footballkitarchive.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eFootball Kit Archive — Jersey History\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.uefa.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eUEFA — European Football\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"font-style:italic;line-height:1.8;\"\u003eIf you're reading this description all the way to the end, you already know this jersey is for you — go for it before another collector beats you to it.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ajax","offers":[{"title":"L","offer_id":54007724671251,"sku":"333220","price":179.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0949\/4839\/3235\/files\/eng_pm_1997-98-AJAX-SHIRT-L-333220_1.jpg?v=1775279819","url":"https:\/\/supporterid.com\/en\/products\/1997-98-ajax-shirt","provider":"SUPPORTER ID®","version":"1.0","type":"link"}