Arsenal Complete Signing of Ajax Defender Jurrien Timber
Arsenal have completed the signing of Ajax defender Jurrien Timber. The 22-year-old Netherlands international becomes the Gunners second major purchase of the summer following confirmation of Kai Havertz’s move from Chelsea.
Timber came close to joining Manchester Untied and his former manager Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford 12 months ago, but instead agreed to stay at Ajax for another year. He is equally adept at playing right-back or at centre-half and Mikel Arteta is understood to have identified Timber as a player he can deploy as an inverted full-back.
Arsenal saw one offer for Timber rejected earlier this month but made a breakthrough when they agreed a fee of around £40million plus add-ons. Timber also attracted interest from Bayern Munich but had his heart set on a move to north London.
Sporting Director Edu said: ‘We are very happy to bring Jurrien to Arsenal. He is a player that we have admired for a long time, so it’s a credit to everyone in our team that made this happen. Jurrien is a young talented international player, who fits our vision of competing with a young strong squad. I know Jurrien cannot wait to get started and we’re really hoping that he will be a great success here for many years.’
Manager Mikel Arteta added: ‘We’re really excited that Jurrien has joined us. He is a versatile young defender, who will fit into our system and provide our squad with so much added quality. Jurrien is a young player, but has already achieved so much. He has experienced what it’s like to go to a major international tournament on more than one occasion, as well as the trophies he has won with Ajax. We look forward to welcoming and integrating Jurrien into the squad.’
Jurrien Timber’s Versatility
Jurrien Timber is a versatile defender who can play both right-back and centre-half. This makes him an ideal addition to Arsenal’s squad, as he can provide cover in both positions when needed. His ability to play as an inverted full-back could also be beneficial for the Gunners, as it allows them to deploy an extra defender in certain situations.
Timber’s experience at international level is also a major plus point for Arsenal, as he has already been part of two major tournaments with the Netherlands national team. This shows his quality and potential, and it’s clear that Arsenal are expecting big things from him in the future.
Timber’s Impact on Arsenal’s Squad
The addition of Jurrien Timber to Arsenal’s squad will have a positive impact on the team. His versatility means that he can provide cover in multiple positions, which is always useful for any team. His experience at international level also shows that he is capable of performing at the highest level, which could be invaluable for Arsenal in the coming season.
The signing of Timber also shows that Arsenal are serious about competing at the highest level this season. They have already signed Kai Havertz from Chelsea, and now they have added another quality player in Timber. This shows that they are willing to invest in their squad and build a team capable of challenging for trophies in the future.
Conclusion
The signing of Jurrien Timber from Ajax is a major coup for Arsenal and shows that they are serious about competing at the highest level this season. His versatility and experience at international level make him an ideal addition to the squad, and he could prove to be a valuable asset for the Gunners in the coming season.