Hakim Ziyech signs five-year Chelsea deal ahead of summer move

Posted Monday, February 24, 2020 by Skysports.com

Hakim Ziyech signs five-year Chelsea deal ahead of summer move
Hakim Ziyech will move to Chelsea from Ajax in the summer

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.

Hakim Ziyech signs five-year Chelsea deal ahead of summer move
Frank Lampard made Ziyech one of his top targets in last month's transfer window

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.