Jorrel Hato is a name we can probably expect to hear a lot more about in years to come, with the versatile young Dutch defender joining Chelsea from Ajax this summer.
The 19-year-old, who can play centre-back or left-back to a high standard, is one of a number of new arrivals at Stamford Bridge, and looks like the latest elite young talent snapped up by the Blues under Todd Boehly’s ownership.
Who is Jorrel Hato? Background and early career
With Hato not set to turn 20 until next March, it seems a bit silly to be talking about his early career, as he’s still in it!
But for one so young, Hato played 111 senior games for Ajax before leaving for Chelsea, while he also has six caps for the senior Dutch national team.
Hato started out in the academy of Sparta Rotterdam between 2013 and 2018 before being snapped up by Ajax, who are famous for producing some of the best young players in world football.
After four years in the Ajax academy, Hato made his first-team debut in 2022, playing a total of 15 times in the 2022/23 season.
He’s since played 96 games in all competitions, scoring four goals, while he also picked up six assists last season.
Best position and playing style
Hato is an intelligent player who times his challenges well and is great at ball-carrying as he comes forward from the back.
The teenager is also a real leader, showing maturity beyond his years, having already captained Ajax – the youngest player to do so in the club’s history.
Naturally left-footed and good on the ball, Hato perhaps looks most ideally suited to playing at left-back, but it’s a tough one to call.
Timber + Hato in the same defence?
Ajax-trained IQ. Arsenal-bred aggression.
We defend together. We cook together.
— Slxt (@afcslxt) June 26, 2025
Hato played more often as a central defender in 2023/24 before switching over to the left-hand side more often in 2024/25. You’d be hard pushed to pick which of these two seasons was more impressive, so complete is he as a player.
Similarly to Jurrien Timber, who has played on the right, left, and centre of defence in his career so far, Hato simply doesn’t have a best position, which is all part of the Ajax way, with the famous Dutch ‘total football’ approach meaning many of their players are comfortable in a variety of roles.
Hato’s transfer to Chelsea in summer 2025
Described as “special” by his former manager (as per Goal) John van ‘t Schip, Hato was a man in demand before finally ending up at Chelsea.
The Eredivisie giants have so often seen their best talents poached by Europe’s elite in decades gone by, and Chelsea weren’t the only ones keen on Hato.
Sources previously told CaughtOffside about strong interest from Chelsea and Arsenal in Hato, though ultimately it seems the timing wasn’t quite right for the Gunners, who signed Riccardo Calafiori last year and then witnessed Myles Lewis-Skelly breaking through in their first-team in some style.
Meanwhile, the Athletic also reported that Liverpool had an interest in Hato, so if Chelsea hadn’t won the race for his signature then perhaps he would still have ended up in England anyway.
Hato’s move to Chelsea was officially confirmed earlier this week and he’ll wear the number 21 shirt for the 2025/26 season, as per the club’s website.