Arsenal Signs Dutch Defender Jurrien Timber From Ajax
Arsenal have completed the signing of Dutch international defender Jurrien Timber from Ajax on a five-year deal, the Premier League club announced.
Timber, 22, was a key member of the Ajax team where he made over 120 senior appearances for the Eredivisie club in all competitions. He won two league titles and a Dutch Cup during his time with the Amsterdam side.
He joined Ajax’s academy in 2014 with his twin brother Quinten, who currently plays for Eredivisie side, Feyenoord. The Ajax academy graduate completed his medical and finalised personal terms ahead of his unveiling.
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“It was because of my brothers. They were always Arsenal fans, and I just loved seeing Arsenal play,” explaining his love of the club, Jurrien said. “They had big players, the way they played, the style.”
“I just love the club. I had this from a young age, but my brothers kind of put that in me. I liked watching Robin van Persie of course, and Thierry Henry. They were my favourite players.”
The Dutchman was a member of the Netherlands squad for both UEFA Euro 2020 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup, making his senior debut for the national team in June 2021, when he started in a 2-2 friendly against Scotland.
Timber has 15 appearances for the Netherlands and started four of their five games at last year’s FIFA World Cup in Qatar. They were knocked out by eventual winners Argentina in the quarter-finals.
Timber is being signed by Arsenal as a right back but he can also play at centre back. He becomes Arsenal second signing of the summer following the arrival of German international Kai Havertz, with a deal to sign West Ham’s Declan Rice also imminent.
