Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia finalized his move to Paris Saint-Germain from Italian league leader Napoli on Friday, the French champions announced.
“Paris Saint-Germain will announce the signing of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The 23-year-old winger, who will wear the number seven, becomes the first Georgian player in the club’s history,” indicates a PSG press release.
No move payment has been revealed, yet French media have indicated that the Parisians will pay €70 million ($72 million), adding prospective bonuses, for the player.
The move comes 24 hours after the 23-year-old posted a video on social media telling Napoli fans “it’s difficult for me but it’s time to say goodbye. “
“It is an honor to wear the PSG shirt,” he added on Friday in an interview with the PSG website.
“It was a dream for me to play for one of the biggest teams in the world. I’m very proud, it’s a dream and we’re going to fight together to fulfil our dreams. I’m very happy.”
The 2023 Scudetto winner, who arrived in Naples in 2022 as part of a transfer from Dinamo Batumi in his homeland, was voted best player in Serie A that season.
Kvaratskhelia has scored 30 goals and provided 29 assists in 107 games in all competitions for Napoli.
He has signed a contract until 2029 with the Ligue 1 leader and hopes to unseat French foreigner Bradley Barcola from his position as left winger in coach Luis Enrique’s starting eleven.
Kvaratskhelia could make an early debut for his new club when they visit Lens on Saturday, looking to increase their 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 final Champions League games this month, at home against Manchester City next Wednesday and away against VfB Stuttgart on January 29.
PSG will only be able to add their new signing to their Champions League squad if they manage to qualify for the knockout phase that begins in February.
They are currently one position and one point out of qualifying for the play-offs before hosting City at the Parc des Princes.
“The project is what convinced me to come here,” added Kvaratskhelia.
“I know what the club wants to achieve and how it works with players. It’s in line with who I am, a lot of great players have played here, so I didn’t think much about it when I had the opportunity to come to Paris.”
Kvaratskhelia’s arrival adds a touch of stardust to a PSG side that is still settling in after Kylian Mbappe left for Real Madrid at the end of last season.
His signing comes as PSG attempt to offload French centre-forward Randal Kolo Muani, who is on the verge of joining Juventus on loan after falling out of favor in Paris.
However, reports published on Friday in France indicate that the measure is on hold as PSG has already filled its quota of loan players, which is capped at six.
Napoli will have to shake off Kvaratskhelia’s departure: Conte
Serie A leaders Napoli will have to temporarily adapt to the life of influential striker Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, coach Antonio Conte said, as the team faces a tough challenge against high-flying Atalanta on Saturday.
Kvaratskhelia showed his departure from the club in a farewell message posted on social media on Thursday, as the Georgian foreigner prepares to sign for French champions Paris Saint-Germain after a two-and-a-half-year spell at Napoli.
“I said January special, it’s called the transfer market, so one or two, whoever leaves, whoever arrives. . . ” Conte said at a press conference on Friday. “Due to the dynamics of the costumes, the human dynamics, relationships are also created between (the actors), it is inevitable that such strong shocks can create small imbalances.
“We will have to maintain the unit created until January 1 (and) recreate this chemistry with the new players, to also compensate for the absence of Kvara. “
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