Chelsea have officially confirmed the signing of Dutch defensive prodigy Jorrel Hato from Ajax. The 18-year-old becomes the Blues’ latest summer recruit, following a breakout season in the Eredivisie. Hato brings left-footed balance and maturity beyond his years, making him a key addition for both the present and future under Enzo Maresca.
The Netherlands international, who has signed a long-term contract at the club, will join up with the squad for pre-season. Expected to fight for a starting role immediately, he brings poise and an element of balance; what Chelsea’s defence desperately lacked.
Hato explains bold Chelsea switch
Hato revealed that ambition and belief in Chelsea’s project drove his decision to join the club. “I was really thinking about my future and this is what I wanted,” he said. “I think I will be a good fit for the way Chelsea are playing, so I was sure about taking my step to Chelsea.”
Hato had already captained Ajax at just 17 and earned senior Netherlands caps, catching the attention of several top European clubs. Chelsea were, however, quick to act and signaled their desire to have a young vibrant squad with high potential. And his tactical intelligence, ball-playing calm and versatility make him a good, neutral option for Maresca’s possession game.
Leaving Ajax, chasing greatness
Hato also spoke about the emotional difficulty of leaving his boyhood club.
“I played seven years at Ajax and for me it was home—the people, the players, the coaches, the culture. So it was not easy to leave,” he admitted. “But my feeling was that at this moment, I needed to make a step to the biggest club in the biggest competitions.”
Chelsea believe they’ve landed one of Europe’s brightest young defenders. If Hato’s mentality matches his technical ability, Stamford Bridge could be home for years to come.
