Melbourne Victory have announced that teenage midfielder Sebastian Pasquali has agreed to join Eredivisie giants AFC Ajax.
Victory made the announcement just hours out from Monday’s showdown with Wellington Phoenix, with the 16-year-old withdrawn from the matchday squad as a result.
While the deal is yet to be formalised, Pasquali – yet to complete a full 90 minutes for Victory – is set for a move to the 33-time Dutch champions.
Promoted to Victory’s senior squad for the 2016-17 season, Pasquali’s rise has been rapid since announcing himself against Italian powerhouse Juventus in his senior debut.
Pasquali stole the show in his 25-minute cameo against the Serie A title-holders in the International Champions Cup in July, stepping up to convert a penalty in the shoot-out win.
Not in the squad for Victory’s A-League opener earlier in October, Pasquali was a rare shining light as a substitute in the club’s derby humiliation against Melbourne City on October 15.
Pasquali then came off the bench to set-up Marco Rojas’ last-gasp winner at Adelaide United the following week.
