According to ESPN, Chelsea spent $53 million on the deal, excluding add-ons. Hato signed a contract until 2032 and will join his new club at the end of the week. Chelsea players are still on their summer break after competing in and winning the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the USA.

"I'm very excited, I'm very happy to be here," the 2006-born defender said on his first day at the club. "I've thought a lot about my future and I want to take the next step in my career. Chelsea is the best place for me to do that, so I'm very happy."

Jorrel Hato's Chelsea debut on 3/8. Photo: *Chelsea FC*

Hato is a versatile player who can play both center-back and left-back. In the 2023-2024 season, he played 80% of his time at center-back in Ajax's 4-2-3-1 formation. However, last season, the Dutch player primarily played at left-back in manager Francesco Farioli's 4-3-3 system, accounting for 94% of his total playing time.

With Ben Chilwell no longer in the plans and Chelsea competing in the Champions League, Hato could be a rotation option or compete directly with Marc Cucurella for the left-back position.

Chelsea currently has seven center-backs, but only Levi Colwill and Benoit Badiashile are left-footed. Colwill played regularly last season, while Badiashile suffered a hamstring injury in 12/2024 and only started three Premier League games. Hato's arrival gives manager Enzo Maresca another option for the left-sided center-back role.

Hato made his Ajax first-team debut at 16 years and 335 days old, becoming the third-youngest player in the club's history to feature in the Dutch league, behind only Clarence Seedorf and Ryan Gravenberch. Since then, he has become a key player, with 4 goals and 9 assists in 111 appearances across all competitions.

In 2023, Hato made his debut for the Netherlands national team in a Euro 2024 qualifier against Gibraltar and has earned six caps.

Hato is Chelsea's eighth signing this summer, bringing their total spending to $350.5 million. The Blues are the second-highest spenders in this summer's transfer window, behind Liverpool at $409 million.

Chelsea's previous signings include Joao Pedro ($82 million from Brighton), Jamie Bynoe-Gittens ($75 million from Dortmund), Liam Delap ($40 million from Ipswich Town), Mamadou Sarr ($16 million from Lyon), Dario Essugo ($24 million from Sporting), Estevao Willian ($38 million from Palmeiras), and Kendry Paez ($22.5 million from Independiente del Valle).

Chelsea are not looking to stop there, as they are close to signing Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig and Alejandro Garnacho from Man Utd. They also need to find new clubs for Marc Guiu, Armando Broja, Christopher Nkunku, Nicolas Jackson, and Raheem Sterling.

Chelsea will regroup this week and play friendlies against Leverkusen on 8/8 and Milan on 10/8 at Stamford Bridge. Maresca's team will then open their Premier League campaign against Crystal Palace on 17/8.

Compiled by Hong Duy