London-based club, Arsenal have announced the signing of Dutch defender Jurrien Timber from Ajax. The Gunners completed the agreement for the Dutch footballer earlier this week but unveiled the defender as an Arsenal player today, July 14, due to a hold-up around his contract. 
Jurrien Timber at a match for Ajax. Source: Getty Commenting on the signing of Jurrien Timber from Ajax, Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta said; “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.” Versatile defender Timber can operate on the right side of defence or in the middle and was a target for Manchester United last summer before opting to stay one more year in Amsterdam. Timber has signed a five-year deal at the Emirates Stadium after undergoing a medical. He’ll wear the No12 shirt. 
Arsenal’s coach, Mikel Arteta giving out instructions to players. Source: Getty Arsenal will pay an initial £34m for the Netherlands international with £4m in add-ons as part of the deal. The 22-year-old is now the club’s second summer acquisition after Kai Havertz, and confirmation of Declan Rice’s move from West Ham will follow. He spent time in Feyenoord’s youth set-up before joining Ajax in 2014. He signed his first professional contract in 2018 and played for the development Jong side before making his Eredivisie debut in 2020. Arsenal have also agreed new contracts with Bukayo Saka, 21, and Reiss Nelson, 23, while experienced Switzerland midfielder Granit Xhaka, 30, joined German side Bayer Leverkusen for £21.4m.
Jurrien Timber pictured on duty with the Netherlands this month. Source: Getty Arsenal are also attempting to buy the midfielders Declan Rice and Roméo Lavia and had an £80m offer for Rice rejected by West Ham last week. Arsenal intends to move quickly to secure Rice, with Manchester City monitoring the situation as they await a decision from Ilkay Gündogan on whether he will extend his stay. Arsenal are in negotiations with Southampton and Lavia’s camp over the Belgium international. Manchester United are also interested but their priority is to land Mason Mount from Chelsea, who are keeping an eye on Lavia’s situation. Manchester City, the 19-year-old’s previous club, would get a percentage of any fee and have a £40m buyback clause next summer if he stays at Southampton. Timber made 47 appearances in all competitions for Ajax last season, including all six of their games in the Champions League group stage. He helped the Amsterdam side to win the Eredivisie title in 2021 and 2022. He has 15 caps for the Netherlands, playing in four of their 2022 World Cup matches as the Dutch reached the quarter-finals.