Ian Maatsen: Aston Villa sign defender from Chelsea on permanent deal to end six-year stay at Stamford Bridge
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Published 28/06/2024 at 19:21 GMT
Chelsea left-back Ian Maatsen has officially signed for Aston Villa, it was announced on Friday. The 22-year-old versatile defender impressed on loan at Borussia Dortmund last season as the Bundesliga side reached the UEFA Champions League final. The Netherlands youth international returns to the Premier League after struggling for game time at his parent club in West London at the end of 2023.
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Aston Villa have confirmed the signing of Chelsea left back Ian Maatsen on a permanent deal.
The 22-year-old Netherlands youth international arrives at Villa Park for a reported fee north of his expired £35 million release clause offered exclusively to Borussia Dortmund.
Maatsen shone on loan at the Bundesliga side after making the switch in January, providing two goals and two assists as Dortmund reached the UEFA Champions League final.
Despite ultimately losing the showdown at Wembley to Real Madrid, Maatsen earned widespread plaudits for his spell under ex-Dortmund head coach Edin Terzic, starting 22 out of 23 appearances in all competitions.
The defender also impressed on loan at title-winning Burnley the season before, being named in the Championship Team of the Season for 2022/23.
But game time was difficult to come by when he returned to his parent club Chelsea at the start of last season, making just one start in the Premier League before moving to Germany.
His contract at the London club was extended to the summer of 2026 in January, five months after the youngster rejected an obligation-to-buy bid from Burnley.
Having made 17 appearances for the Netherlands U21 side, Maatsen was initially cut from Ronald Koeman’s provisional squad for Euro 2024.
But following the withdrawal of the injured Frenkie de Jong and Teun Koopmeiners, the full-back was recalled and could earn his first senior cap in Germany this summer.
Maatsen was an unused substitute as the Netherlands came from behind to beat Poland 2-1 in their opening game in Group D.
Although primarily a left-back, the former Chelsea man has also lined up in attacking midfield, centre midfield and can play off both wings.
Born in Vlaardingen in the Netherlands, Maatsen started his career at the academies of Feyenoord, Sparta Rotterdam before being signed by Chelsea from PSV in 2018.
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