Done Deal: Neymar joins PSG for world-record £198m on five-year deal

Neymar has finally completed his world record £198m transfer to Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona in a deal the French side say 'emphasises more than ever the club's aims to rise to the top of world football.'



After weeks of intense speculation regarding the move, the 25-year-old has signed a five-year contract worth £500,000 a week and is in line to make his debut on Saturday at home to Amiens in Ligue 1. He will wear the No 10 shirt.

Neymar, who will be officially unveiled on Friday afternoon at a press conference, 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 team-mates is to help the club to conquer the titles that their fans want.

'Paris Saint-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 team-mates, to open up new horizons for my club and to bring happiness to its millions of supporters around the world.'

PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi added: 'It is with immense joy and pride that we welcome Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain.

'His winning mentality, strength of character and sense of leadership have made him into a great player.

'He will bring a very positive energy to this club. In six years, we have built a very ambitious project that has already taken us to the highest level of national and European football.

'Today, with the arrival of Neymar, I am convinced that we will come even closer, with the support of our faithful fans, to realising our greatest dreams.'

For Barcelona, Neymar's exit delivers a significant blow so close to the start of the La Liga season. His exit dismantles their famed three-pronged attack with used to comprise of the Brazilian, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.

They have been strongly linked with a move for Liverpool attacker Philippe Coutinho as Ernesto Valverde looks to reshape his side ahead of his first season as the Nou Camp boss.

Barcelona stars Gerard Pique and Javier Mascherano made public and private pleas for the Brazil captain to stay in Spain, but their efforts failed.

Neymar joined Barcelona in 2013 from boyhood club Santos. In Spain, he won two La Liga titles, the Copa del Rey three times and the Champions League, as well as the Club World Cup and Spanish Super Cup.

At PSG, he will be tasked with spearheading their bid to reclaim the French league title after Unai Emery's side finished second to Monaco last season. It ended a four-year streak of PSG finishing first in Ligue 1.

But domestic success will be only part of what PSG are aiming to achieve with Neymar in their ranks.

Since they were bought by Qatar Sports Investments in 2012, the furthest the club has gone in the Champions League is the quarter-final stage.

Last season, after thrashing Barcelona 4-0 in the second round first-leg, Neymar inspired the Catalan side to an astonishing 6-1 victory over PSG in the return fixture where the Spanish club scored three times in the last three minutes of the match.

Shortly after his PSG transfer was announced, Neymar uploaded an emotional post on Instagram to reflect on his four years at Barcelona and revealed he went against the advice of his father in moving to France.

It read: 'The life of an athlete is made by challenges. Some are given to us, others are fruits of our own decisions to keep the light that illuminates our career, which is intense, but short.

'Barcelona was much more than a challenge, it was the dream of a child, who played with those stars through the video game. I arrived in Catalonia when I was 21, filled with challenges.

'I can still remember my first days in the Club, sharing the changing room with idols like Messi, Valdes, Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol, Pique, Busquets and many others. Waiting my turn to play in a club that's 'more than a club'. Barcelona is a nation that represents Catalonia!

'I had the honour of playing with the best athlete I have ever seen in my life and I am sure I will never see another one like him while I'm alive. Leo Messi became my friend in and out of the pitch. It was an honour to play with you.

'I made a trio with Messi and Suarez that made history, conquered everything an athlete can conquer, lived unforgettable moments, lived in a city that is more than a city, it is a homeland. I love Barcelona and Catalonia.

'But an athlete (me) needs challenges. And for the second time in my life I will contradict my father.
'Papa, I understand and respect your opinion, but my decision is made and I ask you to support me as you always do.

'So, go with God and be happy, ok son. But run! Kiss, I'm running up here with you.'
'Barcelona and Catalonia will always be in my heart but I need new challenges.

'I have accepted the proposal of PSG to try new achievements and help the Club to win the titles that their crowd wants. They showed me a daring career plan and I feel ready to take on this challenge.

'I thank the wonderful Blaugrana crowd and all that I have learned from the athletes with whom I had the chance to share the dressing room.

'Now I feel in my heart that it's time to leave. PSG will be my home for the next years and I will work hard to honour all of the trust placed in my football.

'I'm counting on the support of all of you who have been with me since 2009. Fans, friends, professionals who are with me and my family, who suffered a lot with some problems that took place during that period in my career. Today you deserve peace.

'It's a very hard decision, but I made it with the maturity I accumulated throughout those 25 years.
'Barcelona, ​​thank you for everything. PSG, I am coming!! May God bless and protect us!'

Brazil legend Pele was quick to congratulate his compatriot on the transfer, posting a comment on Twitter alongside a picture of himself holding the World Cup in front of the Eiffel Tower.

'Congratulations Neymar, good luck in your new challenge. Paris is a beautiful city, one of my favourite (sic) in the world!'

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