Matthijs de Ligt’s move from Ajax Amsterdam to Juventus Turin is finally perfect. After a week-long hanging game, both clubs announced the transfer as official.
As Ajax confirmed, Juventus is paying around 75 million euros for de Ligt. This makes the 19-year-old the world’s third most senior centre-back after Virgil van Dijk (FC Liverpool) and Lucas Hernandez (FC Bayern). In addition, bonus payments and consultancy fees amounting to 10.5 million euros are due. De Ligt receives a five-year contract from the old lady until 2024.
“Hello, Bianconeri. I’m happy to be here,” de Ligt had already said on Wednesday in a short video spread by the club of five-time world footballer Cristiano Ronaldo. Afterwards, the coveted exceptional talent completed the medical check.
In the past, de Ligt has been associated with FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, but no agreement was reached with either the Catalans or PSG.
De Ligt had surprisingly reached the semi-finals of the Champions League with Ajax last season. After Frenkie de Jong, who has also transferred to FC Barcelona for 75 million euros, Amsterdam will lose their next outstanding talent.
In Juventus, de Ligt will also face German players Sami Khedira (32) and Emre Can (25). According to Italian media reports, however, Khedira is one of a list of players from whom the new Juve coach Maurizio Sarri could part to form a younger squad.
