Transfer Window: FC Barcelona sign young Dutch midfielder Frenkie De Jong for 75 million euros
Barcelona have signed promising 21-year-old Netherlands midfielder Frenkie de Jong from Ajax for 75 million euros ($85.5 million).
The deal could reach 86 million euros ($98 million) including possible add-ons depending on the youngster's and the team's performances during the five-year contract.
The transfer was finalized on Wednesday by Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu in Amsterdam.
De Jong's poise on the ball and eye for a pass has drawn comparisons to Dutch legend Johan Cruyff, who thrived with Barcelona as a player and as a coach.
Barcelona call De Jong "one of Europe's most promising midfield talents." It says he has "an excellent reading of the game and ability to provide the killer pass."
The Catalan club says the "versatile" De Jong is "strong in the one-on-one" and can play either as a defensive or attacking midfielder.
"His wonderful vision and natural ability to find the right pass mean he is the perfect choice as a central playmaker," the club said.
De Jong rocketed to fame this season with standouts performances for Ajax and the resurgent Dutch national team, prompting his name to be linked with top clubs including Barcelona, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.
Widely considered a future star for the Dutch national team, De Jong joined Ajax from Willem II in Tilburg. He played 65 matches for Ajax's first team, scoring five goals.
De Jong is the third signing by Barcelona in the winter transfer window, along with forward Kevin-Prince Boateng and defender Jeison Murillo.
He arrives to a team with midfielders that include Philippe Coutinho, Ivan Rakitic, Sergio Busquets, Arturo Vidal and Arthur.
Barcelona said De Jong will continue "a long and successful tradition" of Dutch players who have played for the club, including Cruyff, Ronald Koeman, Marc Overmars, Patrick Kluivert and Franck de Boer. Current reserve goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen also is from the Netherlands.
