Rangers Sell Calvin Bassey To Ajax For A Club Record Fee
Rangers signed Bassey for £230,000 from Leicester City and sold him to Ajax for a club-record fee that could rise to around £23m. Bassey played 50 times for Rangers last season.
Ajax has confirmed the signing of Calvin Bassey from Rangers on a five-year contract for a deal worth just under £23m.
The fee is £19.6m (€23m) but with add-ons could rise to £22.7m (€26.5m) with the deal also thought to include a 10 percent sell-on fee.
Bassey has signed a contract with Ajax until June 2027 and arrived in Austria on Wednesday to join the Dutch champions’ training camp.
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His departure will see Rangers pocket a club-record fee for a player that cost them a mere £230,000 from Leicester two years ago. Rangers sold academy graduate Nathan Patterson to Everton in a deal worth up to £16m in January.
“Rangers Football Club can confirm Calvin Bassey has joined Ajax in a deal which is the largest in Rangers’ history,” a club statement read.
“Calvin leaves with best wishes from everyone at Rangers and we thank him for his hard work and commitment over the past two seasons.
“The 22-year-old joined Rangers from Leicester City for a Training Compensation Fee in the summer of 2020, making 65 appearances for the Light Blues.
“Bassey played his part in Rangers’ historic 55th league title victory, won the 2022 Scottish Cup, while also having a huge role in the incredible UEFA Europa League run to the final in Seville last season.
“We wish Calvin all the best for his future career.”
The highly-rated defender was attracting interest from Brighton and clubs across Europe, including Bundesliga and Serie A sides.
It is understood Ajax head coach Alfred Schreuder had spoken to Bassey over the phone and was impressed, with the Dutch club preparing a formal bid as they look to replace Lisandro Martinez, who is set to join Manchester United.
Bassey made 50 appearances across all competitions last season and was named in the Europa League team of the season following Rangers’ run to the final.
He also played a key role as the club won the Scottish Cup in May, adding to the Scottish Premiership title he won the previous campaign.
Rangers have already added Antonio Colak, Tom Lawrence, Rabbi Matondo, and John Souttar to their squad this summer, but are expected to make further moves during the window.
