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<p>Market Value: €35 million</p>
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<img alt="Transfer news: Exploring the talent of Jorrel Hato as he joins Chelsea from Ajax" src="https://tmssl.akamaized.net//images/foto/galerie/hato-chelsea-dd-1754243920-173906.png" title="Transfer news: Exploring the talent of Jorrel Hato as he joins Chelsea from Ajax">
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<p>Ajax has a long-standing history of nurturing elite talent through its prestigious academy. Over the decades, legendary players such as Johan Cruyff, Dennis Bergkamp, Clarence Seedorf, Edgar Davids, and Wesley Sneijder have all made their mark after emerging from Ajax's youth system. Although the Eredivisie may not match the financial prowess of leagues like the Premier League or La Liga, Ajax remains renowned for its ability to develop players who are sold for significant profits. For instance, Jurrien Timber was transferred to Arsenal for €40 million in the summer of 2023. The latest prodigy to come from Ajax is 19-year-old defender Jorrel Hato.</p>
<p>Having already played 111 first-team matches for Ajax and represented the Netherlands internationally six times, Hato is the fifth youngest player to don the Ajax first-team jersey, debuting at just 16 in January 2023. Now, at 19, he stands out as one of the club's key players. Versatile in defense, Hato excelled in 31 league matches last season, contributing two goals and six assists.</p>
<p>Hato is set to make his mark in one of Europe’s top leagues after Chelsea confirmed his signing this Sunday. The young defender has signed a long-term contract with the club that runs until 2032 and will integrate with his new teammates this week. In a statement, Hato expressed, "I’m very excited, I’m so happy to be here. I thought a lot about my future and wanted to take the next step in my career. Chelsea is the best place for me to do that, so I’m very happy."</p>
<h2>Who is Jorrel Hato?</h2>
<p>At just 19 years old, Jorrel Hato was a standout performer for Ajax last season. Despite a challenging season for the club, he was a vital presence in defense, primarily playing left-back under manager Francesco Farioli. His 3,326 minutes of play made him one of the most used U19 outfield players in the top leagues, second only to Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal.</p>
<p>Hato has drawn comparisons to Arsenal's Jurrien Timber due to his flexibility, capable of playing both center-back and left-back. After Timber's transfer to North London, Hato remarked on the move, expressing his aspiration to follow a similar path, while acknowledging the journey ahead of him. His current market value stands at €35 million, a figure that is expected to grow.</p>
<h2>“His physique is years ahead of him”</h2>
<p>Kevin Lux, Transfermarkt's content manager in the Netherlands, highlights Hato's impressive maturity for his age: “Hato's impact has been significant; he appears remarkably grown for a 19-year-old. His physicality, combined with his technical skills, makes him a highly valued player in Dutch football. He possesses the ability to dribble, pass, and read the game effectively from defense. Although he's still polishing certain aspects of his game, his leadership qualities have been evident, having captained Ajax at youth levels. With his strong defensive skills, keen vision, and effective passing, Hato has the potential to become a world-class defender, much like Timber.”</p>
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<p>Player Comparison</p>
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<p>Market Value: €35.00 million</p>
<p>Comparison Player's Value: €55.00 million</p>
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<p>Position: Left-Back</p>
<p>Comparison Position: Right-Back</p>
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<p>Contract Expiration: June 30, 2032</p>
<p>Comparison Player's Contract: June 30, 2028</p>
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<p>Full Player Comparison</p>
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