Chelsea, a big team in the Premier League, has officially signed Dutch defender Jorrel Hato from Ajax. The two sides have agreed on a pact that will last until 2032. Ajax said that the transfer fee is €44.18 million.
Chelsea said in an official statement, “Jorrel Hato has signed a long-term contract with the club. He will meet with his new colleagues later this week.”
Hato, a standout product of Ajax’s academy, has already established himself as a first-team regular at just 19 years old. Capable of playing both centre-back and left-back, he made 50 appearances for Ajax in the 2024–25 season, scoring 3 goals and providing 6 assists.
Speaking about the move, Hato said, “I’m very excited and thrilled to be here. I have given a lot of thought to my future, and I think this is the best thing I can do next in my profession. Chelsea is the best place for me to reach my goals. ”
Rising Star with Huge Potential
Hato was born in Rotterdam and started playing football with the local club Sparta. In 2018, he joined Ajax’s junior academy. He signed his first professional contract in 2022, when he was 16 years old. He rapidly created a name for himself in both the UEFA Youth League and Ajax’s second team.
Hato was known for his strong tackling, confident ball movement, and natural leadership. He even donned the captain’s armband for Ajax when he was just 17 years old.
He made his debut for the senior Netherlands national team at the age of 17 and has since played in six games. He was also the captain of the Dutch team at this summer’s UEFA U21 European Championship.
Chelsea Sign Eight Players This Summer, Spending Nearly €288 Million
Chelsea has signed Hato, who is the eighth new player of this transfer window. The club had already signed Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, João Pedro, Liam Delap, Estêvão, Renato Veiga, Marc Guiu, and Pedro Lima.
Gittens got the most money, €64.3 million, followed by João Pedro, who got €63.7 million. Chelsea is serious about rebuilding the team, as shown by the fact that these eight additions have cost them about €288 million.
Garnacho Sparks Speculation with “Like” on Chelsea Rumour
Chelsea’s transfer business might not be over yet. Reports suggest the Blues are actively pursuing Dutch midfielder Xavi Simons and Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho.
According to renowned transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, Garnacho ‘liked’ a social media post related to Chelsea’s transfer activity, fueling speculation about a potential move.
Earlier reports from English media indicated that Manchester United are open to selling Garnacho this summer.
With the arrival of Jorrel Hato, Chelsea’s summer rebuild has taken another major step. The Dutch starlet brings fresh energy to the defensive line and represents the club’s firm commitment to the future.
As the new season approaches, all eyes will be on Hato to see whether he can quickly adapt to the Premier League and become a defensive cornerstone for the Blues.
