De Ligt completes move to Juventus
Matthijs De Ligt headlined the European football transfers this week. Speculation was rife that the Ajax defender would move to Juventus and the transfer finally happened with the player signing a 5 year contract for a transfer fee of 75 million euros.
Noteworthy football transfers this week:
July 20, 2019
Carlos Vinícius: The 24-year-old Vinicius joined Benfica from Napoli for a transfer fee of 17 million euros. He signed a 5 year contract until 2024.
July 18, 2019
Matthijs De Ligt
Ajax to Juventus
Ajax defender Matthijs De Ligt has joined Juventus for a transfer fee of 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 on the start of his third season with the club (June 2021).
Juventus managed to beat Barcelona, Paris SG and Manchester United to sign the highly rated defender.
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. Football analysts have praised De Ligt’s passing ability, his aerial prowess and have described him as an adept ball playing defender.
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.
“Maurizio Sarri (Juventus manager) was one of the reasons that I wanted to join here. I’ve heard a lot of good things about him and I like his footballing philosophy and how he prepares his defence,” said De Ligt.
Mario Hermoso
Espanyol to Atletico Madrid
The Espanyol defender has joined Atletico Madrid for a transfer fee of 25 million euros plus €4m in add-ons, and 20% of the sell-on fee.
The 24 year old has signed a 5 year contract until 2024.
The player is a youth product of Real Madrid and played 52 games for the club’s youth teams between 2015-17. La Liga club Espanyol signed him for 4 million euros in 2017, where he played 59 games between 2017-19.
Hermoso has been praised for his ability to clear the ball out the defence, deliver long balls and threaten during set-pieces.
A statement on the official Atletico website said, “We welcome an extraordinary player, who, despite his youth, has experience and a promising future.”
Christopher Nkunku: The 21-year-old player joined RB Leipzig from Paris SG for a transfer fee of 13 million euros. He signed a 5 year contract until 2024.
July 17, 2019
Kieran Trippier
Tottenham to Atletico Madrid
The Tottenham defender has joined Atletico Madrid for a transfer fee 22 million euros.
The 28 year old has signed a 3 year contract until 2022.
The right-back is a youth product of Manchester City. He joined Burnley in 2011 and made 185 appearances for the club between 2011- 15.
Trippier has been praised for his ability to deliver pinpoint crosses, take good free-kicks, deliver long shots, ability to hold on to the ball and being effective in ground duels.
“I feel pride and it’s a great challenge. I want to learn the language, that’s my first priority – to communicate with the coach and my team-mates,” Trippier said.
“He (manager Diego Simeone) was a massive part of my decision to come here. He is one of the best managers in the world,” he added.
Sebastian Haller: West Ham made a club record transfer by signing the 25 year old for a 40 million euros transfer fee that could rise up to 50 million euros. Haller signed a 5 year contract until 2024, with a club option of a 1 year extension.
July 16, 2019
Abdou Diallo: Paris SG strengthened their backline by signing the 23 year old from Borussia Dortmund for a transfer fee of 32 million euros. Diallo signed a 5 year contract until 2024.
July 15, 2019
Fabian Delph
Manchester City to Everton
The Manchester City player has joined Everton for a transfer fee of 8 million euros.
The 29 year old midfielder has signed a 3 year contract until 2022.
The player is a youth product of Leeds United and played 54 games for the club between 2006-09. After playing games for 134 Aston Villa between 2009-15. He joined Manchester City in 2015 for 11.5 million euros.
Delph has been lauded for his passing ability, ball control, dribbling and effectiveness in ground duels.
Manager Pep Guardiola often deployed him as a left-back during his stint in Manchester City.
“I’m at an age now where I am probably one of the most experienced players, so hopefully I help my teammates. I’ve come here with ambitions to win things,” Delph said.
Oliver Torres: Sevilla signed the 24 year old Torres for a transfer fee of 12 million euros. He signed a 5 year contract until 2024.
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