This archive report was first published on 18 July 2019.
On July 18, 2019, Italian Serie A champions Juventus announced the signing of Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt for €75 million ($84.25 million) on a five-year contract.
According to the club, 'It's the news all Bianconeri fans have been waiting to hear all summer: Matthijs de Ligt is officially a Juventus player!'
The transfer fee, which includes additional costs of €10.5 million, is at the top of the potential range of €65 to €75 million reported by Sky Italy in June.
De Ligt's contract includes a termination clause of €150 million, valid from the third year of the contract.
De Ligt, 19, had expressed interest in joining Juventus after a conversation with Cristiano Ronaldo, who asked him to join the Turin-based club at the end of the Nations League final.
As the new addition to Juventus' defense, De Ligt joins Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci, following the retirement of Andrea Barzagli last season.
