Chelsea Confirm Signing Jorrel Hato, Dutch Teen Sensation from Ajax
Chelsea Football Club has officially announced the signing of highly-rated Dutch defender, Jorrel Hato, from Eredivisie giants Ajax.
The 19-year-old has penned a long-term contract with the London club that will keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2032.
The announcement was made via the club’s official X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday, as Chelsea confirmed the addition of the Netherlands international to their defensive ranks ahead of the new season.
“Chelsea is delighted to announce the signing of Netherlands international, Jorrel Hato from Ajax,” the club wrote.
Hato, who is expected to join up with his new teammates this week, expressed his excitement at making the move to the Premier League.
Speaking to Chelsea’s official website, he said, “I’m very excited, I’m so happy to be here. 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.”
Born in Rotterdam, Hato began his football career at local club, Sparta Rotterdam before being snapped up by Ajax’s youth academy in 2018.
He signed his first professional contract with the Amsterdam club in 2022 at the age of just 16 and quickly emerged as one of Europe’s brightest young defensive prospects.
Hato made headlines in February 2023 when he became the third-youngest player to make an Eredivisie appearance for Ajax, debuting at age 16 against Cambuur. His maturity and defensive acumen earned him a place in the starting XI for the Dutch Cup final later that season.
The 2023/24 campaign saw Hato cement his role as a first-team regular for Ajax, primarily playing as a left-back while also featuring comfortably in central defence.
He was also handed the captain’s armband at just 17, showcasing his leadership qualities.
On the international scene, Hato made his senior debut for the Netherlands at 17 and has since earned six caps. Most recently, he captained the Dutch side at the UEFA Under-21 European Championship this summer, underlining his growing stature on the world stage.
