Italian champions Juventus have completed the signing of highly-rated Dutch defender Matthjis De Ligt for €75-million.
The 19-year-old, who had also been linked with Manchester United, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, has signed a five-year contract.
De Ligt captained Ajax to the Champions League semi-finals last season, where they also won a Dutch league and cup double.
He'll earn a weekly salary of around €460,000 in Turin with his agent Mino Railo also expected to receive a bonus for his part in the transfer.
💡 LIGHTS 🔛 | Matthijs de Ligt è ufficialmente bianconero! https://t.co/vqrukMxB9I ⚪⚫#TURNDELIGTON #LiveAhead pic.twitter.com/a7L41UQ7li
— JuventusFC (@juventusfc) July 18, 2019
“I have played 10 years here in the youth academy, and 3 years in the first team, but unfortunately I have to take a next step now.” de Ligt told Ajax TV after completing the move.
“Why Juventus? Since a kid I have been fascinated by the way Italians defend. Many examples are Italians for me: Paolo Maldini, Franco Baresi, Alessandro Nesta, Fabio Cannavaro, Gaetano Scirea, and I can go on and on. I fell in love with the way they defend in Italy.
“It’s emotional for me to leave this club. I experienced sad moments and beautiful moments, it’s been a rollercoaster.
“But in life there always comes a goodbye. I will miss everyone here at this club. And who knows what the future will hold.”
De Ligt joins Gianluigi Buffon., Cristian Romero, Luca Pellegrini, Aaron Ramsey, Adrien Rabiot and Merih Demiral in signing for Juventus ahead of the new season.
