Matthijs De Ligt claims the playing style of new manager Maurizio Sarri was key to his decision to join Juventus this summer.
The 19-year-old Dutch defender has been unveiled today after completing his €75-million move from Ajax and signing a five-year contract.
De Ligt says a conversation with the former Chelsea boss helped make his mind up about making the switch to Turin.
"I spoke to Sarri on the phone before coming just to get to know each other. He was one of the reasons that I wanted to join here.
"I've heard a lot of good things about him and I like his footballing philosophy and how he prepares his defence."
The former Ajax captain is also hoping that his time in Italy will help him mature as a defender.
“I'm still young but I feel like I've got a lot of experience for a 19-year-old, that's why I made this move to gain more experience and to learn from the players here. It's a big step, my first outside of my home country.
"I was really honoured with how the Juventus fans welcomed me and I hope that I can give a lot back.
"I have to get used to a new sporting culture here and a new sporting environment and I hope that I can give my best.
“I came here because Italy is one of the most traditional countries for defenders. Juventus is a great forwards step for me. In Holland there is a lot of building from the back and defending high up the pitch.
"Italy is more about zonal marking and defending together, I think that Juve can help me and I can help them. Ajax was a younger environment and here I hope that I can learn from great champions like Chiellini, Gianluigi Buffon, Cristiano and many others."
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