Aston Villa announce signing of Chelsea defender Ian Maatsen for over £35m
Aston Villa have confirmed the signing of defender Ian Maatsen from Chelsea for a fee in excess of £35m.
The Dutch full-back agreed personal terms with Unai Emery's Villa last week and the deal has now been announced.
Maatsen has signed a six-year contract and will be linked to Villa Park until 2030.
Chelsea decided to permanently part ways with the 22-year-old after spending the second half of the 2023/24 season on loan at Borussia Dortmund.
Meanwhile in Iduna Signal ParkThe left-back quickly won over the fans, where he helped the club advance to the Champions League final.
He finished his time with the German team with three goals and two assists in 23 games in all competitions.
His performances earned him a place in the Netherlands team. Euro 2024 squad, with Ronald Koeman He called him up as a last-minute replacement for Frenkie de Jong.
AND Maatsenwho won the Championship on loan in Burnley In the 2022/23 campaign, he has now left Stamford Bridge on a permanent transfer.
The value of the deal is believed to exceed the £35m release clause Chelsea agreed with Dortmund in the winter window.
talkSPORT understands he could be worth up to £40m, with Chelsea set to earn more if add-ons are met.
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Maatsen, who joined Chelsea's academy in 2018 from PSV, has made 15 appearances for the west Londoners since making his debut in 2019.
He participated 15 times under Mauricio Pochettino's tutelage, but was limited to just one Premier League start.
However, the Dutchman will return to Champions League action after Aston Villa finished fourth in the Premier League in 2023/24.
While Chelsea will compete in the Europa Conference League, Europe's third competition.
Maatsen will begin his career as a Villa player once he finishes playing in Germany at Euro 2024 where the Holland faces Romania in the round of 16.
