With a message on Instagram, Hato said goodbye to the supporters of Ajax. “It’s hard to find the right words, because Ajax is my home,” writes the defender who left for Chelsea for more than 44 million euros. “From the moment I came to the club as a young boy, I dreamed of playing in the Johan Cruijff Arena. Thanks to your support and trust of everyone within the club, that dream has come true.”
After 111 duels in the first team of Ajax, nineteen -year -old Hato is ready for the next step. The defender speaks of a difficult decision. “Because Ajax has shaped me as a football player and as a person. Ajax will always have a special place in my heart and I will always remain an Ajax player wherever I am. Thanks Amsterdam, forever at home.”
What does Alex Kroes say about Jorrel Hato?
“With the switch from Jorrel we lose one of our strongholds in the defense,” says technical director Alex Kroes in a press release.
Wim Kieft: ‘With 43 million euros for Jorrel Hato, Ajax has to pinch his hands’
“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 him to keep it up for at least another year, but we understand that he has now set his sights on this great adventure that awaits him in the Premier League. That new challenge we heartily give him all success in Engeland.”
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Jorrel Hato (19) comes to Chelsea in a pond full of large fish
What does Hato say about Chelsea?
“I am very enthusiastic and so happy to be here,” says Hato on the website of his new club. “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.” Chelsea won the World Cup for clubs earlier this summer and finished fourth in the Premier League last season. The club starts on August 17 with a league match against Crystal Palace on the new season.
Hato left Sparta Rotterdam for Ajax in 2018. He played 111 duels for the club from Amsterdam. Ajax only sold Antony (95 million euros), Frenkie de Jong (86 million euros), Matthijs de Ligt (85.5 million euros) and Lisandro Martínez (57.4 million euros) for more money.
The club from Amsterdam wants to attract a new defender with part of the money for the born Rotterdammer. Ajax is negotiating with Borussia Mönchengladbach about Ko Itakura, the Japanese defender who also played for FC Groningen in the past. Feyenoord is also interested in Itakura.