Chelsea have announced the signing of Dutch defender, Jorrel Hato, from Dutch Eredivisie side, AFC Ajax, on a long-term deal.
Hato, 19 years of age, put pen to paper on a seven-year contract, until 2032; he will meet his new teammates this week.
According to Chelsea official website, Hato said: “I’m very excited, I’m so happy to be here.
“I thought a lot about my future and wanted to take the next step in my career. Chelsea is the best place for me to do that so I’m very happy.”
Hato, born in Rotterdam, kicked off his football journey with local side Sparta before joining Ajax’s youth academy in 2018. He signed his first professional contract in 2022 at just 16 and immediately impressed in both the UEFA Youth League and for Jong Ajax, the club’s reserve side.
Since the beginning of the 2023/24 season, Hato has featured regularly for Ajax. Hato fields comfortably well in the center of defence, as well as, left-back, featuring most often in the latter position during the last season.
On the international level, Hato’s progress has been equally amazing. The defender recorded his senior debut for the Netherlands at the age of 17 and has already clinched six caps, as well as, captaining the Dutch side at the UEFA Under-21 European Championship this summer.
Photo: Jorrel Hato, Chelsea new signing from Ajax. X/Chelsea FC
