Calvin Bassey’s £19 million transfer from Glasgow Rangers to Ajax in a club-record deal on Wednesday made him Nigeria’s most expensive defender in history, according to ANAEDOONLINE.NG Sports Extra.
The 22-year-old, who joined Rangers from Leicester for a nominal sum of £230,000 two years ago, leaves for the highest fee in the Scottish club’s history.
Ajax will pay an initial sum of £18.7 million for the versatile footballer, but the fee could grow to £22.7 million with add-ons, with the agreement also expected to include a 10% sell-on charge.
His departure will see Rangers pocket a club-record fee for a player that cost them a mere £230,000. Rangers also sold academy graduate Nathan Patterson to Everton in a deal worth up to £16m in January.
The defender’s move to the Dutch club eclipsed former Eagles defender Taribo West transfer record from Auxerre to Inter Milan in 1997.
At that time, the Nerrazurri paid £10.2m for Taribo, who went on to play 64 times, scoring two goals for the Italian giants.
Bassey, who signed a five-year deal at the Johan Cruyff Arena and will wear the jersey No.33, is now Nigeria’s fourth most expensive signing in history behind Victor Osimhen (£74m), Alex Iwobi (£35m) and Kelechi Ihenacho (£25m).
He also becomes the seventh Nigerian to play for Ajax, after Finidi George, Nwankwo Kanu, Tijani Babangida, Christopher Kanu, Sunday Oliseh and Pius Ikedia.
Bassey replaces Lisandro Martinez, who joined Manchester United in a £55m deal, earlier this week.
He arrived in Austria on Wednesday and is expected to join Ajax first team’s training camp on Thursday (today).
Ajax Wants £25 Million Bassey To Replace Martinez
Ajax beat RB Salzburg 3-2 in a friendly on Tuesday, and face German Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday, with the Nigerian expected to feature.
While the initial fee for Bassey amounts to £19m, £4.25m in potential add-ons have also been included in the deal.
Bassey enjoyed a breakthrough season at Ibrox last season, notching 50 appearances in all competitions as Rangers made it to the Europa League final, which his side lost but in which he impressed individually.
The crowning moment last season for the defender however came in the Scottish Cup final, as his man-of-the-match display helped Rangers beat Hearts 2-0.
Bassey made 65 appearances for Rangers – and also played a significant role as they won their 55th league title in the 2020/21 season.
Speaking on his move, former Eagles assistant coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, expressed delight, adding that the former Leicester City rookie defender will blossom in the Dutch league.
“It’s a good move for Bassey, “Amuneke told ANAEDOONLINE.NG Sports Extra.
“He is a great asset to the Eagles and will be a good replacement to Martinez.. I wish him the best there.”
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