Ajax sign Thilo Kehrer on loan from Monaco as defensive rebuild continues
Ajax have confirmed the signing of Thilo Kehrer from Monaco on a season-long loan, adding an experienced right-sided centre-back to a squad still being rebuilt after a bruising campaign.
There is no buy option in the deal. That makes this a straight loan, but the reasoning behind it is obvious enough. Ajax needed a right-footed central defender after the exits of Ko Itakura and Josip Sutalo, and Kehrer gives them a player who has seen enough top-level football to walk into pressure without blinking.
That experience was a big part of the pitch.
Technical director Jordi Cruyff described the Germany international as an extremely professional and talented player who brings a lot of experience.
"He has a strong mentality and is used to performing under pressure at the highest level," Cruyff said.
He also stressed that Kehrer's presence should create healthy competition in defence, which matters for a squad trying to recover balance and intensity after posting its lowest points total in more than 60 years last season.
Kehrer himself sounded convinced by what he heard. Speaking in his first interview with the club, he said Cruyff did not need to work too hard to sell the move, because the plan, the ambition and the way the coaches operate all came across positively from the start.
Kehrer has played for Schalke, Paris Saint-Germain, West Ham and Monaco, and last season alone he made 40 appearances for the French club across Ligue 1, the Coupe de France and the Champions League.
So Ajax are not signing a project player here. They are bringing in someone who should be able to help immediately, and that matters with PSV due in Amsterdam on Saturday.
Kehrer also said he feels ready right now.
"I am ready to play. I took part in the whole pre-season with Monaco, I feel fit and physically good. I am ready to start the season."
He also admitted that speaking to Marc-Andre ter Stegen over the past few days helped reinforce the decision. The goalkeeper told him good things about Ajax and how much he likes the club, while Kehrer also pointed to the appeal of reuniting with familiar faces such as Julian Brandt and former Monaco team-mate Caio Henrique.
This is Ajax's 10th signing of the summer and another clear sign that Cruyff is trying to rebuild the group with a mix of experience and connections rather than just chasing names blindly.
