Arsenal sign Ajax defender Jurrien Timber

Arsenal have announced the signing of Ajax centre-back Jurrien Timber.

Timber leaves Ajax after three years in the first team set-up, and the Gunners will fork out a reported €47 million plus add-ons for the highly-rated Netherlands international.

The 22-year-old defender has signed a five-year contract worth €8m per year, keeping the youngster at the Emirates Stadium until the summer of 2028.

Timber becomes Arsenal’s second signing of the Premier League transfer window, following Kai Havertz, who arrived from London rivals Chelsea in a £65m deal.

Although a natural centre-back, Timber is also comfortable featuring at right-back and could provide support for Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu on the right side of the defence.

However, his primary focus will be to challenge the formidable centre-half partnership of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes and earn a spot in Mikel Arteta’s starting XI.

“I’m really excited, especially now I’m here,” Timber said in his first interview as an Arsenal player.

“Everyone is so nice, and you can see it’s a big club. I’m excited to play for this beautiful club, and I can’t wait to start and to see the fans in the stadium.”

“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. So I think that’s a good thing and I need to keep that. 

“I just like the way Arsenal play. It’s 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.”

Arsenal manager Arteta added: “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.

“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.”