London (BN24) — Chelsea Football Club has officially announced the signing of highly-rated Dutch defender Jorrel Hato from Ajax for a reported fee of £38 million. The 19-year-old will join the Blues on a seven-year contract, with an initial payment of £35.5 million, plus potential add-ons.
Hato’s move to Stamford Bridge marks another significant acquisition in Chelsea’s busy summer transfer window, which has seen the club invest heavily in strengthening their squad. The young defender joins a growing list of new arrivals, including Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens, and others, as part of Chelsea’s efforts to build for the future.
“I’m very excited, I’m so happy to be here,” Hato said on Chelsea’s official website. “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’s departure from Ajax has been met with regret from the Eredivisie club. Ajax’s technical director, Alex Kroes, praised the defender’s talent and character, acknowledging the challenge of losing such an important player. “With the transfer of Jorrel, we lose one of our pillars in defense,” Kroes said. “He is not only a very great talent and a good player, but he also has a very good character and personality. We would have preferred to keep him for at least another year, but we understand that he has now set his sights on this wonderful adventure in the Premier League. We wholeheartedly wish him this new challenge and are proud of what he has done for Ajax.”
Hato, who joined Ajax’s academy from Sparta Rotterdam in 2018, signed his first professional contract at the age of 16. His strong performances for the Eredivisie club have made him one of the most sought-after young defenders in Europe.
His arrival at Chelsea marks the club’s eighth summer signing, following a series of high-profile transfers. The Blues have spent significantly, with Hato joining a list that includes Joao Pedro (£60 million), Jamie Gittens (£51.1 million), Liam Delap (£30 million), Estevao Willian (£29.1 million), Dario Essugo (£18.5 million), Mamadou Sarr (£12 million), and Kendry Paez (£17.3 million).
Chelsea’s total summer spending now stands at over £249 million, making them one of the biggest spenders in the Premier League this window. Only Liverpool has spent more, with a total of £295.5 million.
