The French Football League champion announced that Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia completed his transfer to Paris Saint-Germain on Friday from Napoli, leaders of the Italian League. Paris Saint-Germain said in a statement, “Paris Saint-Germain is pleased to announce the signing of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The 23-year-old winger, who will wear the number seven, will become the first Georgian player in the club’s history.” The transfer fee was not disclosed, but media reports in France said that the Parisian club would pay 70 million euros ($72 million) to include the player, not including potential bonuses.
The move comes 24 hours after the 23-year-old posted a video on social media in which he told Napoli fans: “It’s difficult for me but it’s time to say goodbye.”
He added in an interview with the Paris Saint-Germain website today, Friday: “It is a great honor to be able to wear the Paris Saint-Germain shirt.”
“It was a dream for me to play for one of the biggest teams in the world. I am very proud, it is a dream and we will fight together to achieve our dreams. I am very happy.”
The 2023 Serie A winner, who arrived at Napoli in 2022 in a buyout from Dinamo Batumi in his home country, was named Serie A Player of the Year that season.
Kvaratskhelia scored 30 goals and provided 29 assists in 107 matches in all competitions for Napoli.
He signed a contract until 2029 with the French league leaders, and hopes to replace French international Bradley Barkola from his position on the left wing in coach Luis Enrique’s starting lineup.
Kvaratskhelia could make his immediate debut for his new club when he goes to Lens on Saturday, looking to extend his lead at the top of Ligue 1 to 10 points over nearest rivals Marseille.
However, he will not be able to play in PSG’s remaining Champions League matches this month, at home to Manchester City next Wednesday and away to Stuttgart on January 29.
Paris Saint-Germain will only be able to add their new signing to their Champions League squad if they reach the knockout stage which begins in February.
The team currently occupies one place and one point outside the qualifying positions for the qualifying round before hosting City in a decisive match at the Parc des Princes.
“The project is what convinced me to come here,” Kvaratskhelia added.
“I know what the club wants to achieve and how it works with players. It’s in line with my identity, a lot of great players have played here, so I didn’t think much about it when I had the opportunity to come here. Paris.”
Kvaratskhelia’s arrival adds a bit of star power to a Paris Saint-Germain squad that is still adjusting after Kylian Mbappe’s departure to Real Madrid at the end of last season.
His signing comes as Paris Saint-Germain tries to offload French striker Randall Kolo Moani, who was on the verge of a loan move to Juventus after falling out of favor in Paris.
However, reports in France on Friday suggested that the switch is on hold because PSG have already filled their quota of players on loan, which has been set at six players.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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