Newcastle United have signed teenage midfielder Sean Steur from Ajax in a deal worth up to £23 million.
The 18-year-old landed on Tyneside on Wednesday evening before undergoing a medical and finalising his move.
He has signed a five-year contract until 2031.
"It's an incredible feeling to be here," Steur said. "It's a giant club in the Premier League and it was always my dream to play in the best league in the world.
I was at home at Ajax – I joined when I was seven and I leave with only good memories - but when a club like Newcastle comes for you, it's really hard to say no."
Steur established himself as a regular at Ajax in the second half of last season, starting in the De Klassieker win against Feyenoord at the age of just 17.
According to Opta, of those midfielders who were aged 18 or younger in the Eredivisie at the start of the campaign, Steur ranked first for chances created (15), total carries (231) and duel success (56.8%).
He was second for passes (623), passing accuracy (89.7%), tackles (20), possession won (49) and duels won (46).
Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe said Steur was a "top young prospect".
"We see real potential in Sean and believe he has the characteristics to become a valuable player for us for years to come," he added.
"Sean is an exciting addition to our squad. He's had an excellent upbringing at Ajax, who have an outstanding track record of producing young players."
There has already been a lot of change at Newcastle this summer, not least in the midfield department.
Sandro Tonali joined Tottenham Hotspur in a deal worth up to £100m and captain Bruno Guimaraes has intimated he also wants to leave the club to move to Arsenal.
Newcastle have had no contact from Arsenal and understandably do not want to lose the Brazilian.
However, whether Guimaraes stays or goes, the club have had an eye on the future with their recruitment strategy this summer.
Newcastle have brought in players aged 20 and under with immense potential in Steur, Bazoumana Toure and Ewen Jaouen.
The trio will need time to adapt to the Premier League and, in truth, it would not be a surprise if Toure was the only one realistically in contention to start against Liverpool on the opening day of the season.
Yet these are clearly talents with the attributes to flourish in the right hands - not least Steur.
By Ajax's own high standards it was a bruising season for the Dutch side, who had three different managers and slipped to a fifth-placed finish in the Eredivisie.
Steur tellingly managed to catch the eye of Newcastle during his breakout campaign.
The teenager will now benefit from joining the club in time for the start of pre-season next week as he prepares to adapt to the detail, structure and intensity of life under Howe.
-BBC
The 18-year-old landed on Tyneside on Wednesday evening before undergoing a medical and finalising his move.
He has signed a five-year contract until 2031.
"It's an incredible feeling to be here," Steur said. "It's a giant club in the Premier League and it was always my dream to play in the best league in the world.
I was at home at Ajax – I joined when I was seven and I leave with only good memories - but when a club like Newcastle comes for you, it's really hard to say no."
Steur established himself as a regular at Ajax in the second half of last season, starting in the De Klassieker win against Feyenoord at the age of just 17.
According to Opta, of those midfielders who were aged 18 or younger in the Eredivisie at the start of the campaign, Steur ranked first for chances created (15), total carries (231) and duel success (56.8%).
He was second for passes (623), passing accuracy (89.7%), tackles (20), possession won (49) and duels won (46).
Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe said Steur was a "top young prospect".
"We see real potential in Sean and believe he has the characteristics to become a valuable player for us for years to come," he added.
"Sean is an exciting addition to our squad. He's had an excellent upbringing at Ajax, who have an outstanding track record of producing young players."
There has already been a lot of change at Newcastle this summer, not least in the midfield department.
Sandro Tonali joined Tottenham Hotspur in a deal worth up to £100m and captain Bruno Guimaraes has intimated he also wants to leave the club to move to Arsenal.
Newcastle have had no contact from Arsenal and understandably do not want to lose the Brazilian.
However, whether Guimaraes stays or goes, the club have had an eye on the future with their recruitment strategy this summer.
Newcastle have brought in players aged 20 and under with immense potential in Steur, Bazoumana Toure and Ewen Jaouen.
The trio will need time to adapt to the Premier League and, in truth, it would not be a surprise if Toure was the only one realistically in contention to start against Liverpool on the opening day of the season.
Yet these are clearly talents with the attributes to flourish in the right hands - not least Steur.
By Ajax's own high standards it was a bruising season for the Dutch side, who had three different managers and slipped to a fifth-placed finish in the Eredivisie.
Steur tellingly managed to catch the eye of Newcastle during his breakout campaign.
The teenager will now benefit from joining the club in time for the start of pre-season next week as he prepares to adapt to the detail, structure and intensity of life under Howe.
-BBC
