Dutch winger Ryan Babel made his professional debut at Ajax Amsterdam at the age of 16.Babel started as a striker as Ajax Amsterdam thrashed ADO Den Haag 4-0 in a Dutch Eredivisie encounter played at the Amsterdam Arena. Ryan Babel was a month-and-a-half away from turning 17 when he played his first game for Ajax Amsterdam on the first day of February in 2004. Dutch international Babel didn’t feature again for Ajax that season as they won the league title ahead of rivals PSV Eindhoven, AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord.

Ryan Babel scored his first goal for Ajax Amsterdam nine months after his debut. His debut goal was against De Graafschap on November 20, 2004. Babel scored one of the goals for Ajax Amsterdam in the 5-0 thumping of DeGraafschap.

Babel signed a new Ajax Amsterdam deal in July 2005 and he began the season by netting the winning goal in the slim victory over rivals PSV Eindhovenduring the JohanCryuff Shield. He was responsible for the winner in the 2-1 defeat of PSV Eindhoven. The Dutch attacker scored in each of the two legs against Danish team Brondby in the third qualifying round of the Champions League. In general, the season was a tough one as he managed just two goals in the league though he still maintained his place in the national team, netting the second goal for the Netherlands in the friendly clash with Italy. At the end of the season, Babel came on in the second half as Ajax beat PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch Cup final.

Ryan Babel started the 2006/07 season with another JohanCryuff Shield medal via the 3-1 victory over PSV Eindhoven. He was linked with the Premier League duo of Newcastle United and Arsenal during the winter transfer window in January 2007 before he penned a new deal in the following month.