Ajax's technical director Jordi Cruijff has praised the surprise signing of Julian Brandt, stating that it was a nice move to show that Ajax is in control of its own destiny. According to Cruijff, the signing of Brandt was a deliberate move to surprise everyone. Voetbalzone reports that Ajax surprised everyone by announcing the arrival of Brandt on 31 July. The midfielder signed a contract with Ajax until mid-2029.
Brandt played 307 games for Borussia Dortmund, scoring 57 goals and providing 70 assists during his seven-year stint with the club. His transfer to Ajax was a free transfer. The signing of Brandt is one of several moves made by Ajax's technical director Jordi Cruijff during the summer transfer window, which saw the club bring in 11 new players while also releasing 17 players.