adidas Ajax Third Bob Marley 01

Creative: Pro:Direct / Photography: Pro:Direct / Words: Pro:Direct

A tribute to Ajax’s fans and the iconic Bob Marley song Three Little Birds

This here is one of the most anticipated kit releases of the summer. When adidas told us that they were working on a Bob Marley inspired football jersey we had a feeling that they were onto something special, and the result does not disappoint. This is culture and history of a football club wrapped in the most special of storytelling.

Scroll on to learn more about the release or jump straight to shopping the full adidas Ajax 21/22 Third kit collection, available now at Pro:Direct Soccer.

adidas Ajax Third Bob Marley 02

So what’s the link between Ajax and the legendary Bob Marley?

The kit design is a tribute to Ajax fans’ adopted anthem ‘Three Little Birds’ – the track serves as an iconic ode to hope and is sung before and after home games at the Amsterdam Arena. Working in collaboration with the Marley family, the kit is a tribute to the love shared between the fans and the reggae legend.

adidas Ajax Third Bob Marley 03

The story of Bob Marley, Ajax and Three Little Birds started back in 2008, when Ajax played a friendly match in Cardiff, against Cardiff City F.C. The Ajax fans were asked to remain in the stands after the game. To entertain the patient fans, the stadium DJ played several tracks, one of which was Three Little Birds.

The rest is history. The fans instantly embraced the song as their own and have been singing it at every game since. A true symbol of hope, the fans sing the song regardless of the score in the game

adidas Ajax Third Bob Marley 04
adidas Ajax Third Bob Marley 05
The black kit features red, yellow and green details. On the back of the jersey, just below the collar, it features a subtle reference to the iconic song, with three little birds sitting on Amsterdam’s Andreas crosses. The kit will be worn in this season’s European matches, alongside Ajax’ home kit.
adidas Ajax Third Bob Marley 06

Across generations, no musical artist has influenced the world quite like Bob Marley. His legacy and messages of hope, love, justice and unity remain as powerful today, as when they were written. An active and dedicated fan of the sport, Bob Marley’s widely known love of football makes this collaboration and the collective love for his music from Ajax fans especially poignant with his family.

“I am beyond touched that Ajax has taken Three Little Birds and made it their anthem. Stories like this warm my heart and show how impactful songs like Three Little Birds can be. Soccer was everything to my father...and to use his words ‘football is freedom” said Cedella Marley.

The kit drops as part of a wider capsule collection, which also includes a track top, track pant, sweater, t-shirt and Samba footwear. Samba footwear originates from football but has become a global fashion icon in its own right. With stripes in red, yellow and green, the footwear also features the Ajax crest on the tongue of the shoe and the three little birds on Amsterdam’s Andreas crosses on the heel tab.

Shop the adidas Ajax 21/22 Third Shirt and capsule collection here.


Creative: Pro:Direct
Photography: Pro:Direct
Words: Pro:Direct

Editorials