The rise of Jadiel Pereira da Gama is almost like a modern football fairytale. Born in 2009 in Almere, he has been familiar with professional football from a young age. Discovered playing local football, he was picked up by PEC Zwolle in 2007. The Eredivisie club liked his talent. While playing for the club's academy, Pereira da Gama quickly stood out for his technique, positional play, and physical advantage over players in his age group. Everything happened at ease.
The club quickly recognized that they had an exceptional talent on their hands. In the summer of 2025, when he wasn't even 16, Pereira da Gama signed his first professional contract. PEC have a good reputation when it comes to developing talent, and signing him was a clear signal that they believed in him. The contract wasn't just a gesture; it was underlined by action. The teenager trained regularly with the first team and proved he could keep up. His patience on the ball and vision for his teammates stood out -- attributes that, for defensive midfielders, often only become evident at an older age.
His personal highlight happened this year on August 15. In the match against SC Telstar, Pereira da Gama made his debut in the Eredivisie. It was just a few minutes, but they were historic. Pereira da Gama became the youngest player in the history of the Dutch first division. It was a record that since 1959, had been held by Wim Kras and appeared to be unbreakable. For PEC, it was evidence that they had found a diamond in the rough that needed sharpening. For the rest of the Netherlands, it was a moment when they began asking questions about the 15-year-old who had just written history.
When you watch the way Pereira da Gama plays, you quickly understand why he made his debut at such a young age. He is a classic defensive midfielder who won't just win the ball, but can keep a game going. His first touch is almost always good, his decision-making is quick, and his positioning is natural. He loves to control the tempo, to make the game wide, and to keep his teammates moving. Playing for his youth teams, he was always the one to calm things down when it got chaotic.
The attention he received after his debut was immense. "Only 15 and 243 days? No, I didn't know that," Pereira da Gama said to ESPN. "I still haven't quite realized it. I think I have to sleep on it for a night over it to realize what happened." He then added that there was, of course, some nervousness." I was very excited, but once you are on the pitch, it is all gone. I was afraid to make a mistake. You want to prove yourself, and I was worried that I would make a mistake." But he said all that with a big smile on his face.
His new record is also a symbol for a new generation of talents that PEC Zwolle hopes to develop. The club has made significant investments in the academy, and Pereira da Gama is an example that the money has been worth it. The fact that a 16-year-old is already part of the first team says quite a bit about the teenager's quality.
PSV Eindhoven and Ajax interested in Pereira da Gama
As is always the case with top talent, the coming years will be decisive for Pereria da Gama's development, as he is still undergoing physical development. PEC will therefore have to plan his next few steps carefully if he wants to get the most out of his talent. Training, games, and school all need to be in balance. This season, he has managed seven short appearances with the first team, and his playing time is being carefully increased.
If his development continues, then it will be unavoidable that other clubs will become interested. Last summer, PSV Eindhoven and Ajax were interested. But for now, the young Dutchman is only thinking about Zwolle and has big dreams. When asked about his goals, he was ready to joke around. "Champions League," he said. But with PEC? "Yes, we are first, therefore..." At the time, Zwolle were first after two wins to start the season. But that's no longer the case as Zwolle are no longer anywhere near the top of the table.