Former Ajax Signing Kik Pierie Retires from Football at 25: “I’ve Stopped Now”
Kik Pierie, the 25-year-old defender recently released by Excelsior, has announced his retirement from professional football, citing a desire to pursue other passions. The announcement came during an appearance on ESPN’s football talk show, where Pierie made it clear his playing days are, at least for now, over.
Pierie reflected on a 2016 Guardian article that listed him among the sixty greatest young talents in the world, alongside players like Vinícius Júnior. Though, he emphasized that his current feelings are far removed from the expectations surrounding that early recognition. “I have stopped now,” he stated, firmly indicating his decision.
Despite not reaching his full potential after a €5 million transfer to Ajax in the summer of 2019, Pierie doesn’t view his career as a failure. “No, not at all,” he responded when asked if his career had faltered. “To be honest, when I went to Ajax, I didn’t expect that six years later I would be saying: ’You know what, I’m stopping playing football because I enjoy other things much more and the football life doesn’t suit me, I won’t be happy about that.'”
He expressed contentment wiht his career to date, adding, “I look back very satisfied on the past ten years. I have done and experienced a lot of beautiful things. Also had many setbacks.” Pierie highlighted the freedom he feels in making this choice at 25, acknowledging that many would consider it unconventional.”It’s nice that I can sit here and make the choice… there are more things in life that make me happy now. That I can make that choice also gives a very free feeling.”
Pierie revealed that his dedication to the sport had waned, stating he’d spent more time in the gym than on the football field in the past year. He described a growing internal conflict, explaining, “At one point you get so shot of it. You will keep that big and strong on the outside, but on the inside that also eats you.”
A product of the SC Heerenveen youth academy, Pierie broke into the first team as a teenager before his move to Ajax. While in Amsterdam, he primarily played for Jong Ajax and had loan spells with FC Twente and Excelsior. He is now utilizing his experience to help other footballers manage their finances through his own company.
