Jorrel Hato

Jorrel Hato (born 7 March 2006) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a centre-back or left-back for Eredivisie club Ajax and the Netherlands national team. He is regarded as one of the best young talents in the world.^[1][2][3]

Jorrel Hato

Hato with Ajax in 2024
Personal information
Date of birth	(2006-03-07) 7 March 2006 (age 18)
Place of birth	Rotterdam, Netherlands
Height	1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s)	Centre-back, left-back
Team information
Current team	Ajax
Number	4
Youth career
2013–2018	Sparta Rotterdam
2018–2022	Ajax
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2022–	Jong Ajax	13	(1)
2022–	Ajax	64	(3)
International career‡
2021–2022	Netherlands U16	6	(0)
2022–2023	Netherlands U17	1	(0)
2023–	Netherlands U21	6	(0)
2023–	Netherlands	5	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23 February 2025 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 19 November 2024

Early life

Born in Rotterdam, Hato moved from his hometown to Ajax in 2018.^[4][5]

Club career

Ajax

Hato playing for Ajax in 2024

2022: Jong Ajax debut

In March 2022 Hato signed a contract keeping him with Ajax until July 2025 despite interest from other European clubs.^[6][7] As captain of the Ajax youth team in the UEFA Youth League he scored a heralded solo goal running from centre back in the 87th minute to secure a 1–1 draw with Napoli in October 2022.^[8][9][10] He was included in a Eerste Divisie match day squad for Jong Ajax for the first time on 4 November 2022 away against FC Dordrecht and made his debut as a second-half substitute.^[11]

2023: Ajax debut

On 11 January 2023, Hato made his senior debut for Ajax in the KNVB Cup against Den Bosch appearing as a second-half substitute for his side in a 2–0 win.^[12] On 5 February 2023, he made his Eredivisie debut for Ajax as a substitute in a 5–0 win away against SC Cambuur, becoming the third youngest player to debut for Ajax in the Eredivisie at the age of 16 years and 335 days, behind Ryan Gravenberch and Clarence Seedorf.^[13][14] Shortly afterwards, on 10 February 2023, he scored his first senior professional goal away against FC Den Bosch.^[15] On 30 April 2023, Hato started the 2023 KNVB Cup final which finished 1-1 between Ajax and PSV Eindhoven and which in the resulting shoot-out PSV won 3–2 on penalties.^[16][17] On 11 October 2023, he was named by English newspaper The Guardian as one of the best players born in 2006 worldwide.^[18]

International career

Born in the Rotterdam, Hato is of Curaçaoan, Cape Verdean and Dutch descent.^[19] In November 2021, he was included in the Dutch under-16 squad.^[20] He became captain of the under-16 Dutch team in 2022.^[21]

Hato was called up to the senior Netherlands squad for UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying matches against Republic of Ireland and Gibraltar on 18 and 21 November 2023, respectively.^[22] He made his debut as a half-time substitution for Virgil Van Dijk against Gibraltar.

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 23 February 2025^[23]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			KNVB Cup		Europe		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Jong Ajax	2022–23	Eerste Divisie	13	1	—		—		13	1
Ajax	2022–23	Eredivisie	11	0	4	0	0	0	15	0
	2023–24	Eredivisie	33	1	1	0	12[a]	0	46	1
	2024–25	Eredivisie	20	2	2	0	15[b]	1	37	3
	Total		64	3	7	0	27	1	98	4
Career total			77	4	7	0	27	1	111	5

1. Eight appearances in UEFA Europa League, four appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League
2. Appearances in UEFA Europa League

International

As of match played 19 November 2024^[23]

Appearances and goals by national team and year

National team	Year	Apps	Goals
Netherlands	2023	1	0
	2024	4	0
Total		5	0

Honours

Individual

• Abdelhak Nouri Trophy: 2022–23^[24]
• Eredivisie Talent of the Month: August 2023^[25]