The 19-year-old Dutch defender, who had already made over 100 senior appearances for Ajax, addressed questions surrounding his decision to join Chelsea despite being spotted at Liverpool's Anfield Stadium earlier this year. Hato confirmed that his visit to Anfield was personal and unrelated to any transfer talks.
“I was invited by Ryan Gravenberch, a friend and teammate from the national team,” he clarified. “It was just to watch a game. Nothing more. I never spoke to Liverpool about a move.”
Speaking about his decision to join Chelsea, Hato explained that the timing and ambition of the club aligned with his career goals.
“Chelsea is the best place for me to take the next step,” he said. “Now is my time to join one of the biggest clubs in the world. I feel ready for this new challenge.”
He added, “Leaving Ajax was not easy. I’ve been there for seven years and it’s where I became a professional. But I’ve always dreamed of playing at the highest level, and I believe Chelsea is the right club to help me grow and achieve that.”
Reflecting on his journey so far, Hato said, “At 12, I left Sparta Rotterdam to join Ajax because I believed in myself. Three years later, I made my first-team debut. Now I’m 19 and have played more than 100 games for Ajax. This was the right moment for me to move forward, and now I’m here at Chelsea.”
Chelsea see Hato as a long-term part of their defensive rebuild and youth-driven project. The club has spent over £360 million on defenders in the past three years, but Hato is expected to offer versatility and depth, capable of playing both as a left-back and central defender.
His arrival adds competition in defence, particularly on the left side with Marc Cucurella. However, some former players have expressed concerns about the move. Speaking on ESPN, ex-Liverpool defender Steve Nicol said: “You’re 19 years old, going to a club that spends on defenders and where nothing is guaranteed. He’ll have to be really special to break through right away.”
Hato remains unfazed by the challenge and confident in his choice: “I know it won’t be easy, but I’m ready. I came here to work hard, improve, and help the team succeed.”
He is expected to feature in Chelsea’s upcoming preseason matches as they prepare for the 2025–26 Premier League campaign, which begins on 17 August against Crystal Palace.
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