Ziyech agrees personal terms with Chelsea
Chelsea have finalised a deal to sign Ajax playmaker Hakim Ziyech on July 1 by agreeing personal terms with the £37million midfielder, describing the 26-year-old as a ‘key target’ for the club during the January transfer window.
Ajax accepted Chelsea’s bid for the Dutch-born Moroccan on February 13, and Ziyech has now agreed terms on a five-year deal that will see him become a Premier League player on July 1.
Ziyech, who was instrumental in the Dutch champions’ run to the Champions League semi-finals last season, will remain with Ajax until the end of the season.
The left-footed provider said he was ‘delighted and proud’ to have signed for ‘such a huge club’, telling the official Chelsea website: ‘I am looking forward to next season and hope we can achieve great things together.’
Despite Ajax bowing out of this season’s Champions League after finishing third in the group Chelsea qualified from, Ziyech showed his future fans a tantalising glimpse of his effervescent talent by setting up three of the goals as Ajax drew 4-4 at Stamford Bridge on November 5.
Chelsea coach Frank Lampard laughed off suggestions that the performance had driven him to bid for Ziyech, and club director Marina Granovskaia welcomed the new signing by referencing the clashes between the two sides in Europe.
Describing Ziyech as ‘a key target’, Granovskaia pointed out: ‘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.’
Ziyech’s four assists in the Champions League are the most any player has recorded in the competition this season.
Discussing a player who has scored nine goals in all competitions this campaign, Lampard said: ‘I have spoken a lot this season about games where we have had a lot of the ball but haven’t had that final bit.
‘Hopefully next season he’s a player that can bring us quality with his crossing, passing – that final pass – and shooting and scoring.
‘The quality he’s got, hopefully, will be there for the fans to see.’
Lampard admitted to being dazzled by Ziyech’s performance as Ajax earned a 1-0 win against Spurs in the first leg of the semi-final tie that they eventually lost in the final seconds of the return at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
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‘I was particularly impressed when I saw him play against Tottenham in that game,’ Lampard explained.
‘I’ve followed him pretty closely since. I’ve watched him a lot and know about him.
‘He ticks a lot of boxes and I’m delighted that we’re in a position where we can say he’ll be out player next season.’
Ajax are currently three points clear at the top of the Eredivisie, in which Ziyech has 12 assists and six goals so far this season.