Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Dutch defender Jurrien Timber from Ajax.
The 22-year-old has joined on a five-year contract, and the Gunners are believed to have paid Ajax an initial £34.2m, which could increase to £38.5m with performance-related add-ons.
Timber becomes Arsenal's second signing of the summer following Kai Havertz's arrival from Chelsea and is expected to form a part of Mikel Arteta's squad for their upcoming pre-season tour of the USA.
"We're 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," Gunners boss Arteta told arsenal.com.
"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."
The Arsenal family continues to grow ❤️ pic.twitter.com/VovE3Zt24J
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 14, 2023
A former product of the Feyenoord youth academy, Timber switched to Ajax in 2014 and departs with a record of six goals and four assists in 121 matches for the Amsterdam giants in all tournaments.
The Netherlands international - who can play as a centre-back or inverted right-back - won two Eredivisie titles and one KNVB Beker under Erik ten Hag, who was thought to be keen to bring Timber to Manchester United.
Timber was seen in attendance at the Red Devils' recent FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City, fuelling speculation that he could head for Old Trafford, but Arsenal swooped in to agree a deal with the 2001-born defender.
"We are very happy to bring Jurrien to Arsenal. He is a player that we have admired for a long time, so it's a credit to everyone in our team that made this happen," sporting director Edu added.
"Jurrien is a young talented international player, who fits our vision of competing with a young strong squad. I know Jurrien cannot wait to get started and we're really hoping that he will be a great success here for many years."
© Reuters
The 2022-23 season was a challenging period for Ajax following Ten Hag's departure, but Timber nevertheless starred with two goals and two assists from 47 games in all competitions.
The Dutchman was also named the Eredivisie Player of the Year and Talent of the Year for the 2021-22 season, and he has earned 15 caps for the Netherlands national team.
Despite mainly featuring as a central defender last season, Timber is expected to take up a wide role for Arsenal, which would see Ben White provide competition and cover for William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes in the heart of the rearguard.
Arsenal will fly out to the USA on Sunday to take on the MLS All-Stars, Manchester United and Barcelona, and Timber could make his non-competitive debut for the Gunners against the former next Thursday.
As well as Timber, Arsenal are also hoping to finalise the British-record £105m signing of West Ham United's Declan Rice before jetting off to North America.
