Chelsea has officially signed 19-year-old defender Jarrell Hato from Ajax, as announced on Sunday.
The transfer deal is valued at 46.5 million euros (approximately $53 million), not including bonuses, according to ESPN NL. The club confirmed that Hato has inked a long-term contract, committing to Chelsea until 2032, and will meet his new teammates later this week.
“I’m thrilled and delighted to be here,” Hato expressed after signing. “I’ve been considering my future a lot and wanted to progress in my career. Chelsea is the ideal place for me to achieve that, which makes me very happy.”
Despite being only 19, Hato has already made over 100 appearances for Ajax and has played six times for the Netherlands’ national team. He made history as the youngest player to debut for Ajax’s Big 17 earlier this year and is capable of playing both left back and center back.
Courtship from some of Europe’s leading clubs, including Arsenal, was reported last summer and earlier this year.
Ajax’s technical director, Alex Kroes, acknowledged that losing Hato is a significant challenge for the Eredivisie club, and he expressed well-wishes for the player while thanking him for his contributions.
“With Hato’s departure, we are losing a key defender,” Kroes stated. “He is not just an exceptional talent and player, but also possesses a great character. We would have preferred to keep him for at least another year, but we understand his desire to pursue this exciting venture in the Premier League.”
“We genuinely wish him well in this new challenge, are proud of his achievements with Ajax, and hope he finds success in England.”
Hato joined the Ajax academy from Sparta Rotterdam in 2018 and signed his first professional contract at just 16 years old.
As the Club World Cup champions, Chelsea will kick off their new Premier League season against rivals Crystal Palace at home on August 17.
This report includes information from PA Sports.
Fan Take: This transfer is significant not just for Chelsea, but for soccer enthusiasts as it underscores the increasing trend of young talents making impactful moves to top-tier leagues. Hato’s acquisition could herald a new wave of defensive prowess for Chelsea, potentially shaping the future of their backline and igniting a competitive spirit in the Premier League.
