Cape Times

Di Maria: I am very proud and can’t wait to wear PSG’s colours

- Julien Pretot

PARIS: Paris St Germain boosted their Champions League prospects by adding significan­t weight to their attacking options with the signing of Argentine Angel Di Maria from Manchester United yesterday.

The French champions, who had their Financial Fair Play restrictio­ns lifted by UEFA last month, have paid 63 million for Di Maria according to local media reports.

The fee is just short of the 64m Ligue 1 record set by Monaco for Colombia striker Radamel Falcao in 2013.

“I am very proud and can’t wait to wear the colours of Paris St Germain,” Di Maria said. “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.

“We will do everything we can to bring Europe’s biggest trophy to France and the fans of Paris St Germain.”

PSG have failed to get past the Champions League quarter- finals in the last three seasons but with Di Maria, Laurent Blanc’s side will hope to go further.

The 27-year-old, who was looking to end a disappoint­ing stint at United, could partner fellow Argentine Javier Pastore, the duo having been impressive in helping their country reach the final at this year’s Copa America.

Di Maria is expected to play on the left wing, which would send Uruguay forward Edinson Cavani to the right flank with Swede Zlatan Ibrahimovi­c playing as a lone striker.

Unlike Ibrahimovi­c or Cavani, Di Maria has already won the Champions League, being named man of the match in the 2014 final when Real Madrid won 4-1 against Atletico Madrid. – Reuters

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ANGEL DI MARIA: ‘We will do everything’

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