Premier League side Fulham have completed the signing of Nigeria international Calvin Bassey from Ajax Amsterdam on a four-year deal with an option for a further year worth around €21 million, the club announced on Friday.
The 23-year-old defender joins Marco Silva’s side after spending just one season in the Dutch Eredivisie following a £20 million move from Scottish side Rangers last summer.
Bassey departs the Johan Cryuff Arena after a series of disappointing performances that saw him lose his berth in the starting line-up.
“I know how big of a club Fulham is,” the Italian-born Nigerian defender said. “They always have quality players, they’re playing in the Premier League, the best league in the world, so I didn’t have to think much about it.
“It’s a London club as well, so it’s always a plus to go home! I’m happy it’s all done now and I can just focus on the football and help the team build on last season, when they did amazing.”
The Super Eagles star, who can play as both a left back and a center back, returns to England, where he began his football career in Leicester City’s youth set-up before departing for Scotland in 2020.
At Rangers, Nigeria enjoyed steady playing time, appearing 65 times and helping with one goal and six assists. He was an ever-present in the Gers side that won the Scottish Premier League in the 2020–21 season with a mammoth 25-point difference while conceding just 13 goals and keeping 26 clean sheets, a Scottish record to date.
In his second season, he helped them triumph in the Scottish Cup and the final of the UEFA Europa League, where they were eventually beaten on penalties by Eintracht Frankfurt after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
The Nigerian then secured a move to Ajax for a Rangers sale record. He made 39 appearances for the club across all competitions, including playing in the Champions League for the first time, helping them with one goal and providing five assists.
A full-blown Nigeria international, he made his debut for the Super Eagles in a World Cup qualifier last year and has since gone on to wrap up 10 caps.
Bassey has chosen to wear the number 3 jersey of the Cottagers, whom he has joined up with on their pre-season tour in the United States. He might make his debut for Fulham when they take on Chelsea in the ongoing Premier League Summer Series.
