Copy Ajax and grab the poppy

Jul 6 2008 By Gavin Berry

DUTCH duo Ajax and PSV Eindhoven have shown the world how to make millions by nurturing young talent then selling it on.

The Amsterdam outfit's renowned youth set-up has not only led to European honours but also huge profits as they cash in on their homegrown heroes.

PSV have had their share of academy players coming through yet are more famous for spotting potential, moulding it into superstars and selling on.

No matter what method they use to find talented kids, the two great rivals turn raw rookies into world beaters to make sure they rake in a healthy profit - and now assistant boss Ally McCoist will be hoping Rangers can do the same.

Here, MailSport looks at the cream of the Dutch clubs' crop and how money can be made if you get it right, raising cash to reinvest in the team.

PSV-Romario: Eindhoven are experts at exploiting the South American market.

And back in 1990 they found a gem in a young Romario who was starring for Vasco da Gama and cost just under £1million.

The little striker netted 98 goals in 109 games, winning three Dutch titles, and was sold to Barcelona for £5m.

Ronaldo: After being scouted by Piet de Visser at Cruzeiro the Brazilian hitman was snapped up by PSV for £3m which was a lot of money for a 17-year-old.

But it proved a bargain buy when, 45 games and 42 goals later, he joined mighty Barcelona for a then-record fee of £13.2m in 1996.

Park Ji-Sung: Guus Hiddink was in charge of PSV and the legendary maager used his wide knowledge of the Far East market following his spell in charge of South Korea to unearth yet another rough diamond.

Hiddink nabbed the midfielder from Kyoto Purple Sanga for a nominal fee and Ji-Sung was later sold to Manchester United for £4m.

Ruud van Nistelrooy: PSV were signing potential and taking a gamble when they shelled out just under £4m to Den Bosch for the 22-year-old.

But after turning him into a superstar they cashed in by flogging the prolific hitman to Man United for £19m.

AJAX-Dennis Bergkamp: The striker (below) came through the ranks with his hometown club and after netting an incredible 122 goals in 239 games Inter Milan paid a record £8m to take him to Serie A.

Cristian Chivu: The Romanian's reputation began to rise when he joined Universitatea Craiova in his homeland and his performances sparked interest from some of Europe's top clubs.

Ajax moved swiftly to snap up the 19-year-old and manager Ronald Koeman helped turn him into an accomplished defender who was later lured to Roma for £12m.

Wesley Sneijder: Although not a native of Amsterdam, Sneijder came through the ranks at Ajax and blossomed into a superb midfielder.

The man whose skills recently lit up Euro 2008 moved to Real Madrid for £18.3m last year, making him the second most expensive Dutch footballer ever behind van Nistelrooy.