Hakim
Ziyech has signed a five-year deal with Chelsea ahead of his move to
Stamford Bridge this summer.
The Blues announced earlier this month they had agreed a £33.3m deal with
Ajax to sign the 26-year-old attacking midfielder at the end of the season,
subject to him agreeing personal terms.
Ziyech has now agreed those terms, and told Chelsea's website: "I am
delighted and proud to have signed for such a huge club as Chelsea. I am
looking forward to next season and hope we can achieve great things
together."
Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia admitted Ziyech was a "key target" for
the Blues in January. The move was not completed last month as Ajax were
unwilling to lose an important player mid-season.
Granovskaia told Chelsea's website: "We are delighted Hakim will be joining
us in the summer, having been a key target of the club's in this last
window.
"He has consistently been one of the most dangerous attacking players in
Europe in recent years, which we saw first-hand in our two games against
Ajax in the Champions League.
"We wish Hakim and Ajax all the best for the rest of the season and look
forward to welcoming him to Stamford Bridge in the summer."
Ziyech has eight goals and 21 assists in 32 games for Ajax this season,
helping the club to the top of the Eredivisie.
Van der Kraan: Ziyech will be a hit at
Chelsea
Leading Dutch football journalist Marcel van der Kraan insists Ziyech will
be hugely missed by Ajax and is no doubt the Moroccan will thrive in a
Chelsea shirt.
"He is vital for that team (Ajax). He has been absolutely turning the
stadium upside down in certain games," Van der Kraan told Sky Sports News.
"His skills and technique are brilliant. His left foot is fantastic. He has
scored cracking goals, [supplied] great assists his figures speaks for
themselves.
"I am sure he will carry on doing this at Stamford Bridge."
Why it makes sense for Chelsea to sign
Ziyech
Sky Sports News reporter Kaveh Solhekol offers his insight on Chelsea's
pursuit of Ziyech as well as an update on the rest of the club's transfer
dealings...
Hakim Ziyech to Chelsea makes sense.
Frank Lampard has spoken about signing a long-term replacement for Eden
Hazard recently. Ziyech is not as good as Hazard but he is getting there.
He was one of the best players on the pitch when Ajax drew 4-4 at Stamford
Bridge in November and he put in two eye-catching performances in the
Champions League semi-finals against Tottenham last season.
Ajax are used to selling their best players and it was always likely that
Ziyech would leave this summer.
Chelsea have been targeting wide players because Pedro and Willian are out
of contract this summer.
Do not rule out Jadon Sancho also moving to Chelsea from Borussia Dortmund
in the summer. Lampard has up to £150m to spend but clubs such as Liverpool
and Manchester United also want Sancho.
It will now be interesting to see if Chelsea make a move for Ajax goalkeeper
Andre Onana. He wants to move to the Premier League and there are question
marks over Kepa's future at Stamford Bridge.
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