Hato Becomes 8th Chelsea Signing Of Season
Chelsea have confirmed the signing of Dutch defender Jorrel Hato from Ajax ahead of the 2025-26 Premier League season.
Hato, who plays predominantly as a left-back is a versatile player who can operate across the back line.
He signed a seven-year contract at Stamford Bridge on Sunday after joining from Ajax in a deal worth £37m.
Chelsea confirmed his signing with a statement on their website.
The statement read: “Chelsea is delighted to announce the signing of Netherlands international Jorrel Hato from Ajax.
“The 19-year-old defender has penned a long-term contract at Stamford Bridge through to 2032 and will join up with his new team-mates this week.”
Hato was delighted to join Chelsea while looking forward to meeting his new teammates on Monday.
He said: “I’m very excited, I’m so happy to be here,’ said Hato. ‘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 becomes Chelsea’s eighth signing of the summer following the likes of arrivals of Joao Pedro (£60m), Jamie Gittens (£51.1m), Liam Delap (£30m), Estevao Willian (£29.1m), Dario Essugo (£18.5m), Mamadou Sarr (£12m) and Kendry Paez (£17.3m).
He started his football career at Sparta before moving to Ajax’s youth academy in 2018. He signed his first professional contract in 2022 at 16 and quickly made his mark in both the UEFA Youth League and for Jong Ajax, the club’s reserve side.
He made his senior debut for the Netherlands aged 17 and has already earned six caps, as well as captaining the Dutch side at the UEFA Under-21 European Championship this summer.
Chelsea players are expected to resume pre-season training at Stamford Bridge on Monday after winning the Club World Cup in America last month.
Hato Becomes 8th Chelsea Signing Of Season is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
