If you can’t beat ’em, sign ’em: Juventus pay Ajax €70m for De Ligt

Matthijs de Ligt celebrates after Ajax knock out Juventus in last year's Champions League. Photo: Pim Ras/HH
Matthijs de Ligt celebrates beating Juventus in last year’s Champions League. Photo: Pim Ras/HH

Ajax’s teenage captain Matthijs de Ligt has ended weeks of speculation by completing a transfer to Italian champions Juventus.

Paris St Germain and Barcelona had also been chasing the 19-year-old’s signature, but Juventus emerged as favourites two weeks ago when it was reported that the player had agreed personal terms.

The clubs are said to have agreed a transfer fee in the region of €70 million. De Ligt was one of the most coveted players from the Ajax side that reached the Champions League semi-finals last season and won the Golden Boy award for Europe’s most promising young player.

He scored the winning goal in Ajax’s 2-1 win against Juventus in last season’s Champions League quarter-final.

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