Football: Crystal Palace bolster defensive ranks with Jairo Riedewald signing

Jairo Riedewald said he is "very pleased" to be joining Crystal Palace. PHOTO: AFP

ENGLAND (REUTERS) - Crystal Palace have signed Ajax Amsterdam defender Jairo Riedewald on a five-year contract for an undisclosed fee, the Premier League club announced on Monday.

The 20-year-old Dutch international will be reunited with former Ajax manager Frank de Boer, who took over at Selhurst Park last month following the departure of Sam Allardyce.

British media reported the transfer fee for the versatile Riedewald, who is primarily a centre-half and has three caps for his country, was close to £8 million (S$14 million).

"I am very pleased to be joining Crystal Palace and after speaking with the gaffer (manager) a couple of weeks ago I was delighted to have the opportunity to come over and play in the Premier League" he told the official club website (www.cpfc.co.uk).

Riedewald, who played 93 times for Ajax, scoring three goals, and won the Eredivisie title in 2014 under De Boer, said: "He will be an excellent addition to our squad, Jairo is a young player but already has a lot of experience."

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.