Di Maria's move to PSG from United official, signs 4-year deal
Argentina winger Angel Di Maria signed a four-year deal with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on Thursday to complete his transfer from Manchester United.
Argentina winger Angel Di Maria signed a four-year deal with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on Thursday to complete his transfer from Manchester United and move on from his English Premier League flop.
Di Maria, who struggled to adapt to the Premier League during his one-year spell at Old Trafford, put pen to paper at PSG headquarters and will be presented to the fans on August 16 ahead of PSG's league match against Ajaccio. Still recovering from a thigh injury, Di Maria is not available for Friday's season opener at Lille.
PSG also called a news conference later on Thursday in a Parisian palace, where Di Maria is expected to be presented to journalists.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed but a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press earlier this week that Di Maria joined PSG for a fee in the region of 63 million euros ($69 million). The former Real Madrid midfielder joined United for 59.7 million pounds ($99 million) last summer as the most expensive signing in the history of British football, but he had an inconsistent season at Old Trafford.
Di Maria, who underwent a medical in Qatar earlier this week, said he was 'very proud' of joining the French champions, who failed in their attempt to buy him last season because of financial fair play restrictions imposed on the Qatari-funded club that have since been eased. "I want to win every competition we enter, both in France and Europe. I want to win the Champions League, which is a dream for all footballers, for a second time," said Di Maria, the man of the match in the 2014 Champions League final with Real Madrid.
"We will do everything we can to bring Europe's biggest trophy to France and the fans of Paris Saint-Germain."
Di Maria, who became the second-most expensive player in French league history, will be teaming up with Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani, who joined PSG for a reported fee of 64 million euros when the club broke the French transfer record in 2013.
After securing an unprecedented domestic treble last season, PSG has set its sights on winning the Champions League and will be counting on Di Maria to reach a new level on the European scene. "We are very proud that Angel Di Maria has chosen Paris Saint-Germain", PSG president Nasser Al Khelaïfi said.
"He is an incredibly talented player, with a frightening speed and ability to beat opposition players. By signing Angel Di Maria, Paris Saint-Germain is once again showing the club's constant ambition to reach the summits of the European game."
Laurent Blanc's team failed to advance beyond the Champions League quarter-finals over the past two seasons, losing 5-1 on aggregate to Barcelona this year.
Despite his Premier League struggles - Di Maria, ended the season with a meager tally of three goals in 27 Premier League appearances - the versatile player is joining PSG on the back of strong performances with his national team at the Copa America, where Argentina finished runner-up this summer.
The 27-year-old Di Maria, who also played for Benfica, has scored 15 goals for Argentina in 66 matches.