Turin: Ajax defender Matthijs De Ligt has joined Juventus for a transfer fee of around 75 million euros.
The 19-year-old has signed a five year contract until 2024 with a release clause of 150 million euros, which will be valid when his third season starts. (June 2021).
Juventus managed to beat Barcelona, Paris SG and Manchester United to sign the highly rated defender.
The player, a product of Ajax’s famous youth academy is represented by former footballer Barry Hulshoff and advised by Mino Raiola.
According to reports, Barcelona had been in a pole position to sign the defender in March, with a reported 8 million euros per year salary offer that had been agreed upon by both parties. But the situation changed when Raiola mentioned the possibility of the player signing for another club, and Juventus made an approach with a 7.5 million euros per year salary offer which would rise to 12 million euros with bonuses.
The Ajax defender made history as he became the youngest ever captain to start a European final when the club lost the UEFA Europa League against Manchester United in 2017. He is the youngest ever player to be appointed as the captain of Ajax as well.
Football analysts have praised De Ligt’s passing ability, his aerial prowess and have described him as an adept ball playing defender. ‘The Golden Boy’, as he is often called has been tipped to become the best defender in the world within a few years.
The fee is just 5 million euros shy of the 75 million world record fee for a defender, which was paid when Virgil Van Dijk transferred from Southampton to Liverpool last year.
According to further reports, Juventus are trying to buy Inter Milan forward Mauro Icardi to supplement their attacking prowess.
The transfer is seen as another step in the club’s quest to win the UEFA Champions League after they failed to win the coveted trophy even after signing forward Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid last year.
The CL failure saw Juventus fire long-term manager Massimiliano Allegri and sign manager Maurizio Sarri from Chelsea on a three year contract.
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