Aston Villa have confirmed the signing of defender Ian Maatsen from Chelsea for a transfer fee in excess of £35 million.
The Dutch full-back agreed personal terms with Unai Emery’s Villa last week and now the deal has been announced.
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Maatsen has signed a six-year contract and will stay at Villa Park until 2030.
Chelsea have decided to permanently part ways with the 22-year-old after he spent the second half of the 2023/24 season on loan at Borussia Dortmund.
At Signal Iduna Park, the left-back quickly gained the attention of his fans and helped the club reach the final of the Champions League.
He finished his time with the German team with three goals and two assists in 23 games in all competitions.
His performances secured him a place in the Netherlands squad for the 2024 European Championship, and Ronald Koeman called him up at short notice as a replacement for Frenkie de Jong.
And Maatsen, who won the league title on loan to Burnley in the 2022/23 season, has now left Stamford Bridge permanently.
The deal is believed to be worth more than the £35 million release clause Chelsea agreed to with Dortmund in the winter transfer window.
The Pitch Prospect estimates the value could be as high as £40 million, with Chelsea able to earn even more if they fulfil their additional commitments.
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Maatsen, who joined Chelsea’s academy from PSV in 2018, has made 15 appearances for the west Londoners since his debut in 2019.
He made 15 appearances under Mauricio Pochettino, but only started once in the Premier League.
However, after Aston Villa finished fourth in the Premier League in the 2023/24 season, the Dutchman will now play in the Champions League again.
Chelsea, on the other hand, will compete in the Europa Conference League, Europe’s third-tier competition.
Maatsen will begin his career as a Villa player once he has finished the Euro 2024 in Germany, where the Netherlands will face Romania in the round of 16.