Football news - Juventus confirm Matthijs de Ligt signing on five-year deal

The 19-year-old central defender captained Ajax to the Dutch double and the semi-finals of the Champions League last season, establishing himself as one of the most promising young players in Europe.

De Ligt was linked with moves to Manchester United, PSG and Barcelona, where he would have joined former Ajax team-mate Frenkie De Jong, but he has chosen to join Juventus.

"It's the news all Bianconeri fans have been waiting to hear all summer: Matthijs de Ligt is officially a Juventus player!" the Serie A champions' website read, which confirmed his signature for "€75 million, payable in five financial years, and additional costs of €10.5 million".

He becomes part of a crowded centre-back room that includes club captain Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci, Daniele Rugani and Merih Demiral.

De Ligt, who was the youngest player in history to captain Ajax, is the seventh arrival of the summer for champions Juventus.

He follows fellow centre-backs Cristian Romero (who has gone back out on loan to Genoa) and Demiral as well as left-back Luca Pellegrini.

Aaron Ramsey, Adrien Rabiot and club legend Gianluigi Buffon have all also arrived on free transfers.

Juve are still being linked with former midfielder Paul Pogba, who reportedly wants to leave Manchester United.