De Ligt undergoes Juvetus medical

TURIN, Italy (AP):

Matthijs de Ligt has undergone medical exams with Juventus ahead of an expected EU70-million (over J$10.6 billion) transfer from Ajax.

Juventus shared photos and videos on social media of De Ligt's arrival in Turin late Tuesday and of fans awaiting him outside the club's training facility when the Dutch defender showed up early yesterday.

De Ligt is expected to sign a contract worth EU8 million (around J$1.2 billion) per season before being formally presented today.

The 19-year-old De Ligt was captain of the Ajax squad that reached the UEFA Champions League semi-finals last season, having scored the winning goal against Juventus in the quarter-finals.

The highly regarded centre back is set to join a veteran defence featuring Juventus stalwarts Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci.

"For a defender, Italy is always ideal," Mino Raiola, De Ligt's agent, told reporters. "Great champions always work well together."

De Ligt is the latest arrival of a strong transfer market showing for the eight-time defending Serie A champions.

On Monday, midfielder Aaron Ramsey was presented by Juventus after joining from Arsenal on a four-year contract. Adrien Rabiot, another midfielder, switched over from Paris Saint-Germain, earlier this month, and goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is also back after one season away at Paris Saint-Germain.

Plus, with Cristiano Ronaldo entering his second season at Juventus, the Turin club is putting together a serious bid to win the Champions League.