Matthijs de Ligt: Juventus make Dutchman world's most expensive defender
- Matthijs de Ligt is now the most expensive defender in the world after penning a deal valued at €75m ($84.2m) to join Juve from Ajax
- The defender was one of the stand out players for the Dutch giants last season after winning domestic double
- De Ligt played crucial role in Ajax ousting Juve from the Champions League last term
Dutch centre-back Matthijs de Ligt has emerged the most expensive defender in the world after penning a deal to Juventus from Ajax valued at €75m ($84.2m) plus add ons.
According to france24.com, the 19-year-old youngster signed a five-year deal with the Italian champions on Thursday, July 18..
Already, Juventus confirmed the fee would be splashed out across five financial years, with "additional costs" of €10.5 million.
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The combined figure sees De Ligt’s transfer fee topple the €84 million Liverpool coughed out for Dutch compatriot Virgil Van Dijk from Southampton in 2018 to make him the world's most expensive defender.
At the last count, De Ligt is now Juventus’ third most expensive signing after the Old Lady’s splashed out 105m euros to sign Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid in 2018, alongside the 90-million-euro transfer of Gonzalo Higuain from Napoli in 2016.
The highly-talented centre-back De Ligt was also on the radar of Manchester United, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain after excelling with Ajax during their run to the semi-final of the Champions League last term.
De Ligt is expected to pocket an annual salary of 7.5 million euros that could reach €12 million with bonuses, claims reports in Italy.
The defender featured 117 times for Ajax across all competitions, netting 13 goals.
He netted the winner in Turin as Ajax sent Juventus packing from the Champions League quarter-finals.
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On the other hand, De Ligt has earned 17 caps for the Netherlands, forming a formidable central defensive partnership with Van Dijk.
Interestingly, the Dutchman was handed the captain's armband at Ajax in March 2018, making him the club's youngest captain ever.
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Juventus target Matthijs de Ligt has arrived in Turin for medicals ahead of his £67.5 million move to join the Italian League champions this summer.
The 19-year-old solid defender was earlier this summer linked with a move to Barcelona, Manchester United and a few other top clubs.
However, the Dutchman was said to have made up his mind to represent the Old Lady from next campaign after coming across Cristiano Ronaldo in the UEFA Nations League final.
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Source: Legit.ng
