Sergino Dest has completed his move to Barcelona from Ajax in a deal worth approximately €26 million.
Ajax will receive €21 million upfront with the fee set to rise over the course of Dest's contract.
The 19-year-old full-back joins the club having amassed over 20 appearances for the Dutch champions last season.
Barcelona captured his signature at the expense of Bayern Munich who were reportedly also interested in his services.
Dest, who was born in the Netherlands but represents the United States at senior international level, replaces Nelson Semedo at the club after the latter made the move to Wolves.
New dream, new team. Força Barça! ❤️ @FCBarcelona #SD2 pic.twitter.com/Sa2LZFVcwn
— Sergiño Dest (@sergino_dest) October 1, 2020
His arrival continues the trend of Barcelona attempting to inject much- needed youth into the squad following the acquisition of Francisco Trincao from Braga and Pedri from Las Palmas.
Dest is set to be formally unveiled at Camp Nou on Friday afternoon.
Barcelona opened their La Liga campaign with an impressive 4-0 victory over Villareal on Sunday evening.
On that occasion, Barca's latest young star, Ansu Fati, stole the show scoring two excellent goals while captain Leo Messi also hit the target from the spot.
Sergi Roberto started at right-back for the Blaugrana against Villareal, and while the midfielder has often played their during his Barcelona career, Dest's arrival will provide cover in a pressing area of the pitch.
AMSTERDAM , 26-09-2020 , JohanCruyff Arena , Dutch Eredivisie, Season 2019-2020 , Ajax - Vitesse , Ajax player Sergino Dest (Photo by Pro Shots/Sipa USA)It was an impressive first outing for the team under new manager Ronald Koeman after a number of listless domestic and European performances at the tail end of the last campaign.
They will look to continue that trend with another win away to Celta Vigo on Thursday night. Champions Real Madrid were victorious on Wednesday, narrowly beating Valladolid.
After a summer filled with turmoil, it finally looks like the Catalan club are beginning to settle down. Lionel Messi seemed to draw a line in the sand of his well-publicised war with club president Josep Maria Bartomeu.
"After so many disagreements, I would like to bring an end to everything. We all have to be united and assume that the best is yet to come," the Argentinian said in an interview with SPORT released on Wednesday.
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