Chelsea has confirmed that they have reached personal terms with Ajax winger, Hakim Ziyech, weeks after they confirmed that they have signed the Moroccan from Dutch club, Ajax.
The agreement as confirmed by Chelsea will run for five years, but no further details as regarding his wages and other contract terms were made public by the club.
Hakim Ziyech speaking after his agreement with the club, said: ‘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 added: ‘
“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,” she said.
The latest development is sure a piece of great news for Chelsea, after the London club, who were in a hot chase for the Morocco international in the January transfer window, said the move is subject to the player agreeing to personal terms. But he will remain at the Dutch club for the rest of this season.
The fee reportedly reached by both Chelsea and Ajax was £33.3m potentially rising to £36.6m.
Hakim Ziyech who is a left-footed attacker will be the first signing for manager Frank Lampard and the club after their transfer ban was lifted. They were also linked to the likes of Paris St-Germain forward Edinson Cavani and Napoli striker Dries Mertens in the January transfer window.
Ziyech contributed to three Ajax goals in a 4-4 draw against Chelsea during their Champions League group game in November.
The most memorable came when the winger’s free-kick from near the corner flag curled over Kepa Arrizabalaga’s head and hit the far post before rebounding in off the Chelsea goalkeeper for an own goal.
Ziyech played the final 10 minutes of Ajax’s 3-0 win against Vitesse in the Dutch Cup on Wednesday, as he returned from a calf injury.
After the game, Ajax boss Erik ten Hag said: “I am not surprised by the news about Ziyech. I know that our players are very popular with the big clubs in Europe. That is just great.
“I have known for a long time what Hakim wants. He has a picture in mind. He knows exactly which clubs he finds interesting and which not. Chelsea is a fantastic club. When it is final, I am very happy for Hakim, and I am very proud of it.”