Lazio have announced the capture of Croatian defender Josip Sutalo, who joins the club on an initial loan from Ajax.
The Background
The Biancocelesti accelerated their attempts to sign a new defender after the shaky performances of Danilho Doekhi and Oliver Provstgaard in the Coppa Italia defeat against Mantova. Moreover, Alessio Romagnoli’s future remains anyone’s guess, while Patric and Samuel Gigot’s injury ordeals continue, with some fearing they may never be fully fit again.
Josip Sutalo Joins Lazio on Loan With Option to Buy
After launching a new onslaught for Sutalo, Lazio were able to secure an agreement with Ajax, who agreed to offload the 26-year-old on a temporary basis. The Croatian international landed in Rome on Friday night, and after undergoing his medical on Saturday, he put pen to paper. The Official Lazio website confirmed the transfer through a brief statement.
SS Lazio announces that it has temporarily acquired, with an option for permanent transfer, the rights to the sporting services of the footballer Josip Šutalo from AFC Ajax.
The Figures
As usual, the club didn’t disclose the numbers behind the operation, but some of the most reliable sources in the Italian media had been reporting the same figures: a €3 million loan fee plus another €7.5 million for the purchase.
Sutalo’s Career Path & Stats
Sutalo is a Dynamo Zagreb youth product who became a stalwart for the Croatian giants, earning himself a €20 million move to Ajax in the summer of 2023. The defender went on to make 108 appearances for the Dutch giants, has also garnered 37 international caps, and was ever-present in Zlatko Dalic’s lineup in this summer’s World Cup.
He’s strong. He played full minutes for Croacia in the World Cup. Excellent signing If he stays fit.