Signed, sealed, delivered
Neymar inks five-year deal to complete world-record transfer
PARIS: Neymar completed his record-shattering transfer from Barcelona to Paris St Germain, signing a five-year deal with the French
club after they triggered his 222mil (RM1.1bil) release clause.
The 25-year-old Brazil forward, who will be presented to fans today, is committed to PSG until June 2022, the club said in a statement.
“Today, with the arrival of Neymar Jr, I am convinced that we will come even closer, with the support of our faithful fans, to realising our greatest dreams,” said PSG’s Qatari president Nasser Al-Khelaifi.
Both Barcelona and La Liga questioned whether the move complied with UEFA’s financial regulations, with the club saying they would report the deal to European football’s governing body.
The transfer doubles the previous world-record fee paid when Paul Pogba moved last August from Juventus to Manchester United for a
105mil (RM553mil).
With the Spanish giants certain to be in the market for a replacement for the Brazilian forward – and with a hefty budget to invest – the Neymar move could set off a chain reaction of deals at top clubs across Europe.
Yet for PSG the signing is a huge coup, bringing them one of the most exciting talents in the world.
Gifted with a superb touch and an impressive repertoire of tricks, Neymar was part of one of the most devastating strike trios the game has ever seen, playing at Barcelona alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
In four years in Catalonia, he won the Champions League once, La Liga twice, and the Spanish King’s Cup three times.
The focal point of the Brazil national team, who will be aiming for a record sixth World Cup title in Russia next year, Neymar’s popularity soared after he captained his country to their first Olympic gold medal in Rio last year – scoring a brilliant free-kick and the deciding penalty in the final.
Neymar, who also has lucrative endorsement deals with Nike, Gillette, Panasonic and Beats by Dr Dre, said he was looking forward to delivering trophies for the French club.
“I am extremely happy to join Paris St Germain,” he said.
“Since I arrived in Europe, the club has always been one of the most competitive and most ambitious.
“And the biggest challenge, what most motivated me to join my new teammates is to help the club to conquer the titles that their fans want.
“From today, I will do everything I can to help my new teammates, to open up new horizons for my club and to bring happiness to its millions of supporters around the world,” he said.
The excitement was certainly felt by PSG fans. Several hundred gathered outside the palatial Royal Monceau hotel in the capital, letting off flares and breaking into chants.
Barcelona said that Neymar’s legal representatives “visited in person the club’s offices and made the
payment of 222mil.”
The five-time European champions said they would pass on details of the operation to European FOOTBALL body UEFA “so that they can determine the disciplinary responsibilities that may arise from this case.”
SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED — NEYMAR COMPLETES PSG MOVE