Rising Dutch star Frenkie de Jong said that Barcelona's promise to make him a "key player" convinced him to sign for the Catalan giants earlier this year, as he was presented at the Camp Nou on Friday.

The 22-year-old midfielder has completed what he calls his "dream" move to Barcelona from Ajax. The Spanish Champions paid 75 million euros for the Dutchman in a 5-year deal which could reach 86 million euros with add-ons.

"It has always been my dream as a kid to play for Barcelona one day. So when they were really serious about me, and when they showed me a plan that I believed in, then the choice was easy for me,’’ said De Jong, “All the players are really talented. Not only Messi, but of course, he is the best. We will see how it is going to work out on the field. I think it's difficult to say some things about it right now."

De Jong was a mainstay of the Ajax side last term, scoring three goals in 52 appearances. He helped the team win the Dutch league title and make it to the Champions League semi-finals. The midfielder also broke into Ronald Koeman's Netherlands team and winning nine international caps. His performances in the center of the pitch have promoted comparisons with the late, great Yohan Cruyff, who played for both clubs.

Barcelona have been looking to strengthen after a humiliating Champions League semi-final loss to Liverpool. President Josep Maria Bartomeu said on Friday they had held talks with Atletico Madrid over a possible signing of French forward Antoine Griezmann.