Matthijs de Ligt claims he decided to join Juventus before he spoke to Cristiano Ronaldo and that Maurizio Sarri played a 'big' role in his move.

De Ligt finally completed his €85.5m transfer from Ajax on Wednesday, and the defender was unveiled as a Juve player for the first time the following morning.

Matthijs de Ligt claims he decided to join Juventus before he spoke to Cristiano Ronaldo and that Maurizio Sarri played a 'big' role in his move.

De Ligt finally completed his €85.5m transfer from Ajax on Wednesday, and the defender was unveiled as a Juve player for the first time the following morning.

“I played three years for Ajax and got a lot of minutes on the pitch last season, so I think I've got a lot of experience for a 19-year-old, but that's why I made this step, to get more experience and learn from these players because compared to them, I'm just starting out, so hopefully I can get in front of them,” he began.

“It's a really big step, the first step outside my home country, so it's something I have to get used to, but I was really honoured by how the Juventus fans welcomed me. I was really proud of that and I hope I can give them a lot back.

“At the time I was still figuring out what I wanted to do and which club I wanted to join after the summer. I already had an idea which one it was, but I always said to Mino [Raiola] I'd decide after the Nations League.”

Ronaldo personally asked the 19-year-old to link up with him in Turin, so how influential was the No 7?

“I was pretty sure it was Juventus but obviously it was nice that Cristiano Ronaldo asked me if I wanted to join Juve. It was a big compliment, but it wasn't the difference in me joining or not.

“For me, it was very important to take such a step outside my home country and Ajax.

“I know I look calm and that lots of people are happy I've joined Juve, but there have been other reactions too, so I have to get used to this environment and new sporting culture, and I truly hope I can do the best with my performances.”

There have been mixed reactions to Sarri's appointment, but De Ligt made it clear he was more than just an admirer of the Coach.

“I spoke to Sarri on the phone very quickly to get to know him, nothing more. He's also one of the reasons I wanted to come to Juve because I heard lots of good stories about him – the way he plays, the philosophy he has, the attacking football, how he prepares the defensive line – so he was a big reason.”

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