Chelsea have signed 19-year-old defender Jorrel Hato from Ajax, the membership introduced on Sunday.
Hato will be a part of the Premier League membership in a deal price €46.5 million ($53m) excluding bonuses, sources advised ESPN NL. Chelsea stated Hato signed a long-term deal that may maintain with the membership till 2032 and can be a part of up along with his new teammates later this week.
“I am very excited, I am so glad to be right here,” Hato stated after signing his deal. “I believed lots about my future and wished to take the following step in my profession. Chelsea is the very best place for me to try this so I am very glad.”
Regardless of his age, Hato has made greater than 100 appearances for Ajax and 6 for the Netherlands. Hato, who grew to become the youngest participant to captain Ajax in 2023 (17), can play both at left-back or centre-back.
Hato, who had been courted by a number of of Europe’s greatest golf equipment, was linked with Arsenal final summer time and earlier this yr, earlier than the membership signed Valencia centre-back Cristhian Mosquera as an alternative.
Ajax technical director Alex Kroes stated the lack of Hato was a tough one for the Eredivisie membership, however wished him nicely and thanked him for his service to the membership.
“With the switch of Jorrel, we lose considered one of our pillars in protection,” Kroes stated. “He isn’t solely a really nice expertise and an excellent participant, however he additionally has an excellent character and character. We’d have most well-liked to maintain him for at the least one other yr, however we perceive that he has now set his sights on this glorious journey that awaits him within the Premier League.
“We wholeheartedly want him this new problem and are happy with what he has finished for Ajax and need him each success in England.”
Hato joined Ajax’s academy from hometown membership Sparta Rotterdam in 2018 and signed his first skilled contract 4 years later on the age of 16.
Membership World Cup champions Chelsea start the brand new top-flight season on Aug. 17 at house to London rivals Crystal Palace.
Data from PA Sport was used on this story.