The Amsterdam club made the announcement on Monday after it was revealed ten Cate held talks with the Blues last week.

A statement on the club's official website read: "Following talks with Chelsea, Ajax have agreed the direct transfer of Henk ten Cate to Chelsea."

Ten Cate will now have to negotiate a contract with the London club. The Ajax statement continued: "Last week, ten Cate informed the club he wanted us to negotiate with Chelsea after he had been approached personally.

"Ajax discussed it internally and it is now down to Henk ten Cate to discuss his own contract with Chelsea."

Ten Cate was non-committal when asked whether the Sparta Rotterdam clash would be his last in charge with a two-week break for international fixtures now looming.

He added: "I can't say if I was sitting on the Ajax bench for the last time.

"That's not up to me. It's now something between Ajax and Chelsea.

"I don't know more than that the clubs are speaking.

"And if they don't come to an agreement I will gladly be coach of Ajax until the end of the season. And if they reach a deal I will go to Chelsea."