Rome: Dutch central defender Matthijs de Ligt, one of the most coveted young players in world football, signed yesterday for Juventus from Ajax for a fee of 75 million euros (Rs 579cr) plus add ons.

De Ligt, 19, agreed a five-year contract with the Italian champions. Juventus said in a statement the fee would be paid over five financial years, with additional costs of 10.5 million euros. The combined fee makes De Ligt the world's most expensive defender, surpassing the 84 million euros Liverpool paid to sign his Netherlands teammate Virgil Van Dijk from Southampton in 2018.