Chelsea Secure Ajax Star Jorrel Hato in €40m+ Deal

Chelsea have agreed to sign Jorrel Hato from Ajax for over €40 million. The 19-year-old Dutch defender will soon fly to England for his medical and sign a long-term contract with Chelsea. Personal terms with Jorrel Hato are already in place.

TRANSFER DETAILS REVEALED

Chelsea will pay Ajax around €43.5 million straight away, and the total could increase with bonuses. Hato played 111 games for Ajax and was a central figure in their defense since his senior debut in 2023. He rejected interest from other European giants, making it clear he only wanted to join Chelsea this summer, as Chelsea is Jorrel Hato‘s only choice for a summer transfer. Hato skipped the recent Como Cup final to avoid injury before his move.

CHELSEA’S STRATEGY AND SQUAD UPDATE

Hato’s arrival is Chelsea’s seventh signing of the summer as the club continues investing in young talent with long-term, incentivized contracts. He is viewed as a versatile option who can play as either a center-back or left-back, providing depth, especially behind Marc Cucurella, who played nearly 60 matches last season. Chelsea, who recently won the Europa Conference League, finished 4th in the Premier League, earning a Champions League spot.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR CHELSEA AND AJAX?

Hato will join Chelsea’s pre-season preparations at Cobham, aiming to integrate quickly ahead of their Premier League opener against Crystal Palace. Ajax, meanwhile, finished the Eredivisie season in 2nd place and will look to replace their defensive leader as they aim to improve and prepare for Europa League qualifiers beginning next month. Both teams face critical early fixtures that could define their seasons.