Chelsea have completed the signing of teenage Netherlands defender Jorrel Hato from Ajax in a deal reportedly worth £37 million ($49 million).
Hato, capped six times by the Netherlands, has penned a seven-year contract with the Premier League side. The 19-year-old becomes Chelsea’s eighth signing since the end of last season as manager Enzo Maresca continues to bolster his squad ahead of a demanding campaign in both the Premier League and Champions League.
“I’m very excited and so happy to be here,” said Hato, who is capable of playing both as a central defender and at left-back. “I thought a lot about my future and felt it was the right time to take the next step in my career. Chelsea is the best place for me to do that.”
Hato joined Ajax’s academy from hometown club Sparta Rotterdam in 2018 and signed his first professional contract at 16. He went on to make 111 appearances, scoring four goals, and earned his senior international debut as a substitute against Gibraltar in 2023.
Chelsea, the reigning Club World Cup champions, will open their Premier League campaign at home to Crystal Palace on August 17. Prior to Hato’s arrival, the Blues had already secured the signings of Jamie Gittens, Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Mamadou Sarr, Dario Essugo, Estevao Willian and Kendry Paez.
