The next top talent comes to BVB from Ajax Amsterdam. Prince Aning will be trained at Borussia with immediate effect – initially in the U 23. Who is the young man?
The day Prince Aning got on the nerves of Borussia Dortmund’s decision-makers, at least briefly, was 19 October 2021, when BVB’s U 19s played Ajax Amsterdam – and the assist for the equaliser came, of course, from Prince Adu-Addae Junior Aning, or Prince Aning for short, who will now be working for Borussia Dortmund and has signed on until 2026.
On the left flank, the now 18-year-old was released that day, given too much space, then accelerated with powerful strides and delivered a hard and equally precise cross. Certainly, this goal to make it 1-1 was only a marginal note in Dortmund’s 5-1 victory in the final. The performance of the Amsterdam-born Aning, however, remained in the mind’s eye.
Second talent after Rijkhoff
After attacker Julian Rijkhoff (17), who arrived in the winter of 2021, the second top talent in a short time is now moving from the Dutch capital to the Ruhr area. Again, Ajax seems to have tried too late, again Borussia was faster, more convincing in courting a highly capable – and this time snatched this left defender with pronounced offensive drive.
Aning is very comfortable with high positioning, is technically strong, especially with his left foot, has a tight, feinting dribble and is extremely quick on the first metres. Added to this, at least at junior level, was a fairly uncompromising one-on-one attitude, although this is certainly where the biggest deficiencies lie.
The Dutch U-18 international comes from an attacking background and was retrained as a left-back after his transfer from OSV Amsterdam to Ajax in 2012. Knowing that there is someone who can run up and down the line with a lot of force. And he is capable of playing the last, penultimate pass in the final third or finishing himself.
“He has a good sense of choosing the moments to help the attacking game. He can run wide, but also knows when to go back,” reports Thijs Zwagerman, who has been watching Aning for the independent platform “Ajax Showtime” for years. The young Dutchman was “one of the biggest talents in the Ajax under-18 squad. “
At first he had to come to terms with his transfer to the back, but in the meantime he feels comfortable there. Aning is suitable both as a link player in a three-man line-up and as a left-back in a four-man line-up. It is noticeable that the Dutchman is occasionally drawn to the centre in the build-up, in order to move from there towards the penalty area.
“He has the understanding of the game. Prince can resolve situations, even if he gets pressure from behind. He is very flexible and a great technician.” At Borussia, who have to pay a training compensation to Ajax, Aning is initially expected to develop in the BVB II circle in order to eventually meet the very highest professional standards.
“We are extremely happy that it worked out. It all dragged on a bit,” reports Preußer. Aning already looked around Dortmund in the winter. “We will give him the necessary time. Prince is allowed to make mistakes, he has to get to know us, learn the language,” explains the BVB II coach. But one thing is clear: the top talent will also have contact with the professionals time and again – very soon as a training participant during summer preparation.
