Football clubs spread the goodwill at Christmas time, as players invariably visit unwell children in hospital in an effort to raise their spirits. Ajax went one better, though, when they signed chronically ill eight-year-old Jay-Jay Willems.
Jay, who suffers with IBS abdominal ache, was invited by the Dutch champions to train with the first-team and was even unveiled by manager Frank de Boer.
"I would like to introduce a new player," De Boer proudly boasted. "Jay-Jay is a left forward and during training he got our attention.
"With his qualities we think he eventually can play with the first team."
The youngster then donned the club's famous No.9 shirt ahead of their Eredivisie match with NAC Breda, as his name flashed up on the Amsterdam ArenA's giant screen.
Jay's name was even read out and cheered loudly by the Ajax faithful ahead of their 4-0 victory.