THE HAGUE, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Ajax and Everton reached an agreement on the transfer of Davy Klaassen to the English Premier League club for a fee of 27 million euros (30.2 million U.S. dollars), the Amsterdam based club announced on Thursday night.
The 24-year-old midfielder signed a five-year deal until mid-2022 at Everton. His contract at Ajax ran out in 2019.
Klaassen was part of the Ajax youth academy since 2004 and made his debut in the first team in November 2011. In total he played 181 official matches for Ajax, in which he scored 55 goals. He captured three Dutch league titles (2012, 2013 en 2014). Last season he reached the final of the Europa League with Ajax.
"Davy has been part of our squad for six years now," reacted technical director Marc Overmars in a press release. "Actually he is an example for players who come through via our youth academy."
At Everton Klaassen meets his Dutch compatriot Ronald Koeman as coach. "I am delighted we have been able to bring Davy to Everton," Koeman said on the Everton website. "He is a leader on the pitch. He has already captained Ajax for two seasons and that shows you the type of person he is. He is hardworking, likes to press and, of course, will give us more creativity and goals."
"I spoke a few weeks ago with Ronald Koeman about Everton," Klaassen added. "I wanted to come here and check if this was the right club for me and since I came here I feel so happy. It's a great club."
