It’s official, Jorrel Hato is a Chelsea player! Here we provide some insight into our newest defender so you can get to know him better.
The highly-rated Dutchman has signed a contract until 2032 and will bolster [Enzo Maresca](/en/teams/profile/enzo-maresca)’s defensive options ahead of the new campaign. But how much do you know about our latest signing?
Here are eight facts about the 19-year-old you may not know...
1) Despite playing his entire senior career to date for Ajax, Hato was born and grew up in neighbouring Rotterdam. He came through the Sparta Rotterdam academy before moving to Ajax in 2018.
2) Hato is of Curaçaoan descent through his parents.
3) Hato wore the number four shirt at Ajax, while for the Netherlands he has most often been their number five.
4) Hato became the second youngest player since 1931 to make his senior debut for the Netherlands when he came on in their European Championship qualifier away to Gibraltar in November 2023. Hato was just 17 years and 259 days old.
5) Hato is the youngest player to start as captain for Ajax in a European fixture. He was 17 years and 282 days old when he skippered them in a Europa League meeting with AEK Athens.
6) Hato ranked 11th in the Golden Boy Football Benchmark Index for 2024/25. The prestigious annual award is in partnership with Italian newspaper _Tuttosport_.
7) Hato was also the recipient of the Johan Cruyff Talent of the Year award at the end of the 2024/25 season. The prize is given to the Eredivisie’s best young player. Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch and Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber are among the previous winners.
8) Hato is the 15th Dutchman to play for Chelsea. The first was Ken Monkou, our 1990 Player of the Year, while the most recent to have turned out for us was Ian Maatsen.
**_Chelsea fans have the chance to celebrate our hugely successful 2024/25 campaign with players from both our men's team and women's team at an exclusive event at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday._** [**_Get your tickets now_**](https://www.eticketing.co.uk/chelseafc/Events)**_._**