History & Records

Neymar Becomes Most Expensive Footballer Of All Time In £198m Move To PSG

Published

7 years ago

August 4, 2017

Brazil superstar Neymar completed his acrimonious world-record £198 million transfer from Barcelona to Paris St-Germain on Thursday night with a promise to deliver success the ambitious Qatari-owned club desires.

The deal was completed around 9pm on Thursday night after another extraordinary day which at one point threatened to turn into a major dispute between the Spanish and French leagues.

Neymar will be presented at a press conference on Friday at the Parc des Princes and to the supporters at PSG’s stadium before Saturday’s league opener against Amiens.

Speaking for the first time about the move, Neymar said:

“I am extremely happy to join Paris St-Germain. 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.

“Paris St-Germain’s ambition attracted me to the club, along with the passion and the energy this brings. I played four seasons in Europe and I feel ready to take the challenge. From today, I will do everything I can to help my new teamates, to open up new horizons for my club and to bring happiness to its millions of supporters around the world.”

The transfer that has changed the power dynamic in European football was masterminded by PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, who said that the deal underlined the club’s ambition.