Matthijs

Matthijs de Ligt completed a £67.5m move from Ajax to Juventus on Thursday.

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It is a signal of intent from the Italian champions to capture one of Europe's most sought-after players and an ambitious step up by the 19-year-old Dutch international, who was a product of the Amsterdam club's prolific academy.

But what are Juve getting for their money, what will De Ligt be hoping for in Turin and how can each ensure that this is the perfect fit between player and club?

BBC Sport spoke to two journalists - one based in the Netherlands, the other in Italy - for their thoughts...

'Sky is the limit for a player of unparalleled capability'

 

It was the second leg of the quarter-final of the 2018-19 Champions League. Ajax were drawing 1-1 with Juventus. In the 67th minute, a corner kick was awarded to Ajax. Towering above every member of Juventus' team, including the 6ft 3ins Leonardo Bonucci, De Ligt, born in the town of Abcoude in the Netherlands, headed the ball in the back of the net to win the tie.

Only 19 years of age, De Ligt had captained Ajax to their most successful season in years - not only did they reach the semi-final of the Champions League, Ajax also won the Dutch national double.

Making his debut in the 2016-17 season - the year in which Ajax lost in the final of the Europa League against Manchester United - De Ligt immediately made a huge impact on Ajax's first team.

With his immovable physique, remarkable leadership qualities and goalscoring abilities, the young defender laid the foundation for the transformation that would turn Ajax from a Europa League side into a Champions League contender two seasons later.

True, Ajax's youth academy produces quality players on a relatively regular basis, but very rarely have they looked as solid and mature at such a young age as De Ligt. After only a handful of games, his position within the first team hierarchy was established, and Ronald Koeman made him one of the players he would build the renewed Dutch national team around.

Without question, Ajax's success in the 2018-19 season was in no small part thanks to De Ligt's unparalleled capabilities.

It soon became apparent he wouldn't stay at Ajax for long. Like most talented youngsters, he was going to move on to bigger and better things - and most probably sooner rather than later. Now the inevitable has happened. After only two and half seasons, he has left his boyhood club for Juventus.

De Ligt's agent, Mino Raiola, has moved clients from Ajax to Juventus before, and has probably played an important role in convincing the Italian side to cough up the substantial transfer fee Ajax demanded.

What's more, it might just be a great fit. Juventus - not to mention the Italian league - has always been a good home to strong defenders, and with players like Leonardo Bonucci not getting any younger, De Ligt will have the opportunity to become a foundational player for many years to come.

It remains to be seen whether he'll succeed at this. But at the age of 19, De Ligt has already achieved more than some players can dream of in an entire career, so one would almost assume the sky is the limit.

De Ligt has taken on Cristiano Ronaldo and won. Now he's his new team-mate. His move to Juventus will come with new challenges, but the young defender will not be afraid in the slightest.

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