Ajax unveil third kit inspired by Bob Marley’s ‘Three Little Birds’ song

Ajax have unveiled a new third kit inspired by Jamaican singer Bob Marley’s iconic song ‘Three Little Birds’.

The black strip, which features red, yellow and green details and has three little birds just below the collar on the back of the shirt, is a tribute to the Dutch club’s fans’ love for the reggae tune.

The spontaneous love story between Marley’s track and the Ajax supporters started in 2008 following a pre-season friendly in Cardiff, where the song came on the sound system as the travelling spectators were asked to remain in their seats.

The fans instantly embraced the song and have used the tune as their anthem ever since.

Marley’s daughter Cedella told Ajax’s official website: “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. To use his words: football is freedom.”

The kit will primarily be worn in European fixtures during the campaign and helps to commemorate the supporters' affinity with the reggae anthem.

It has quickly proved a hit with Ajax fans after it was released on Friday, August 20.

The kit, by Ajax and Adidas in collaboration with the Bob Marley family, is a black shirt which features red, yellow and green details.

Just below the collar on the back of the shirt, there are three little birds sitting on Amsterdam's Andreas crosses as a reference to the song.

Ajax will wear the third kit in European fixtures this season alongside their home kit, with the Eredivisie side in the group stage of the Champions League.

Ajax fans' association with the song started in August 2008 when the club were playing a friendly against Cardiff City in the Welsh capital.

After being asked to remain in the stands after the game, Three Little Birds was one of the songs played by the stadium DJ and it quickly became adopted by Ajax supporters as an anthem which is sung at every match.