Chelsea's left-back Ian Maatsen signs £35m transfer deal with Aston Villa

Aston Villa have sealed the purchase of Ian Maatsen, the left-back from Chelsea, for a fee of £35m. The 22-year-old had a loan spell at Borussia Dortmund in the latter half of the previous season, aiding the Bundesliga team in reaching the Champions League final. Currently, Maatsen is on duty with the Netherlands national team at Euro 2024, gearing up for a last-16 encounter against Romania scheduled for Tuesday. This is prepared by SSP.

This acquisition marks Villa's second signing during the summer transfer period, following the addition of striker Lewis Dobbin from Everton. Maatsen originally joined Chelsea in 2019 after his stint at PSV Eindhoven. He garnered attention while on loan at Charlton Athletic, Coventry City, Burnley, and eventually Dortmund.

Notably, his impact for Burnley was instrumental in their promotion to the Premier League in the 2022-23 season. Maatsen achieved commendable figures, scoring four goals in 39 appearances, earning himself a spot in the Championship Team of the Season.

Although Maatsen began last season at Chelsea, he faced difficulties in securing regular playtime under manager Mauricio Pochettino. Despite this, he featured in 15 games across various competitions. In January, the promising left-back moved on loan to Dortmund for six months before signing a one-year contract extension, binding him until June 2026. This extension included a release clause, pointing towards an impending departure this summer.

During his stint in Germany, Maatsen showcased his skills in 23 appearances, finding the net on three occasions. Dortmund achieved a fifth-place finish in the Bundesliga and suffered a 2-0 defeat against Real Madrid in the Champions League final.

After his time at Stamford Bridge, where he made 16 appearances, Maatsen now embarks on a new chapter with Aston Villa.