Fulham have completed the signing of Ajax centre back Calvin Bassey for a fee of £18.2m, the club have confirmed this evening.

The Nigerian international has signed a four-yea contract, with Fulham holding an option to keep him for another twelve months.

Bassey told FFCTV tonight:

I know how big of a club Fulham is. 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 powerful defender spent five years at Leicester City having come through the Foxes’ youth set-up but moved to Glasgow Rangers in 2020. He made fifteen appearances in his first season at Ibrox as Steven Gerrard’s side stopped Celtic winning ten straight Scottish titles, but became a crucial part of the side that won the Scottish Cup and reached the Europa League final the following year – featuring 50 times across all competitions.

His outstanding displays in Rangers’ run all the way to the final, where they were beaten on penalties by Eintracht Frankfurt, attracted interest in his services from across Europe. Ajax won the race to sign him, spending £20m, but the new signing was shown a straight red card on debut fifteen minutes after coming on as a substitute. Bassey made 39 appearances for de Godenzonen last term, including six starts in the Champions’ League, and will cover two crucial positions at Craven Cottage as he can fill in at left back.