This archive report was first published on 17 July 2019.
On July 17, 2019, Ajax captain Matthijs de Ligt touched down in Turin, Italy, to undergo a medical and finalize his transfer to Juventus.
De Ligt, a 19-year-old Dutch international, had led Ajax to the Champions League semi-finals and was reportedly set to sign with Juventus for a staggering Sh8.7 billion (75 million euros).
"Here he is!" Juventus announced on Twitter, sharing a video of De Ligt disembarking from a private jet at Turin airport.
"Hello Bianconeri, this is Matthijs, I'm really happy to be here," De Ligt said in a separate clip, addressing the Juventus fans.
De Ligt's impressive performances for Ajax and the Netherlands had drawn attention from top European clubs, and his transfer to Juventus marked a significant move in the world of football.
With 117 games under his belt for Ajax, De Ligt had scored 13 goals, including three in the Champions League quarter-finals against Juventus, where he had scored the winner.
He had also played 17 times for the Netherlands, cementing his reputation as a talented young player.
