Arsenal have signed defender Jurrien Timber from Ajax for an undisclosed transfer fee.
Timber’s move ends his nine-year association with Ajax in which he graduated through their youth academy since he joined from Feyenoord in 2014, during which he made 39 appearances for Ajax’s reserve team – Jong Ajax, in Eerste Divisie.
The 22 year-old defender eventually made his senior debut on 7 March 2020 in a 3-1 victory away at Heerenveen, which proved to be Ajax’s final match of the 2019-20 season before the worldwide lockdown ended the Eredivisie season.
Timber went on to become a first-team regular in the following three seasons once Dutch football resumed in September 2020, with six goals in 120 further appearances, during which he helped Ajax win two Eredivisie titles and 2020-21 KNVB Cup and leaves with six goals in 121 appearances in total.
His consistent performances however persuaded Arsenal to swoop for Timber for a reported initial £34.2m transfer fee plus £4.3m in add-ons, taking the total transfer fee potentially up to £38.5m once the add-ons have been paid.
Speaking about his move to Arsenal on a five-year contract until June 2028, Timber told arsenal.com: “It was because of my brothers. They were always Arsenal fans, and I just loved seeing Arsenal play. They had big players, the way they played, the style. I just love the club.
“I had this from a young age, but my brothers kind of put that in me. I liked watching Robin van Persie of course, and Thierry Henry. They were my favourite players.”
“I think that I’m lucky to say that I can play as a central defender, as a right full-back, sometimes even on the midfield,” continued Timber. “So I think that’s a good thing and I need to keep that.”
On adapting to Arsenal’s playing style, Timber added: “I just like the way Arsenal play, is a bit similar to Ajax’s style and I like to play from the back. I can see a lot of similarities, especially in the way Arsenal and Ajax want to play.”
Manager, Mikel Arteta added that the club are “really excited that Jurrien has joined us. He is a versatile young defender, who will fit into our system and provide our squad with so much added quality.
“Jurrien is a young player, but has already achieved so much. He has experienced what it’s like to go to a major international tournament on more than one occasion, as well as the trophies he has won with Ajax. We look forward to welcoming and integrating Jurrien into the squad.”
Arsenal’s Sporting Director, Edu meanwhile is “very happy” to sign Timber after having “admired” the defender for an extensive period of time, with the 22 year-old fitting “our vision of competing with a young strong squad.”
Timber will wear the number 12 shirt and could make his Arsenal debut at home to Nottingham Forest at Emirates Stadium on Saturday 12 August, in a 12:30pm BST kick-off live on TNT Sport on the opening weekend of 2023-24 Premier League season.