Ajax complete €23.5m signing of Josip Šutalo from Dinamo Zagreb | OneFootball

Ajax have announced the signing of Josip Šutalo from Dinamo Zagreb. The 23-year-old defender has signed a five-year contract at the Johan Cruyff Arena, valid until June 2028. The Dutch giants will pay a fee of €20.5m plus €3m in add-ons.

Josip Šutalo has been an Ajax target for a while now. The Croatian centre-back has spent his entire career so far with Dinamo Zagreb and last season he was dominant in defence as his former side lifted their 24th league title. Last season, Sutalo featured 36 times in all competitions, scoring three goals within those games. The eight-time Croatia international is officially an Ajax player, and he could be a brilliant addition to the Amsterdam club.

Šutalo is seen as the successor to Jurriën Timber at Ajax. The Dutch defender left the club to join Arsenal for €40m this summer. As well as Timber, Edson Álvarez and Calvin Bassey have also left this summer, leaving an empty spot in the defence.

Not long ago, Ajax looked like they needed a complete refresh in the squad if they wanted to challenge for the title once again. They’ve brought in the likes of Šutalo, Chuba Akpom, Carlos Borges, Jakov Medic and Branco van den Boomen, among others and they’ve certainly strengthened their squad. Last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Excelsior was disappointing from their point of view, but now, they can push on with Josip Šutalo at the back.

GBeNeFN | Hugo Hargreaves