Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Man Utd transfer option disappears as Sergio Ramos signs two-year deal with PSG
The Spanish centre-back's Real Madrid contract ran out last month.
Sergio Ramos displays impressive skills in Real Madrid training
Paris Saint-Germain have confirmed the signing of Sergio Ramos on a free transfer. The central defender has signed a two-year deal with the French club.
The 35-year-old won four Champions League crowns and five La Liga titles during his remarkably successful 16-year stay at Real Madrid.
But Ramos and Real opted against signing a contract extension this summer.
And the central defender has chosen Paris over a number of other suitors, including Manchester United.
The two-year deal means he will be with Mauricio Pochettino’s squad until June 2023.
"I am very happy to join Paris Saint-Germain,” Sergio Ramos said in an official statement.
“This is a big change in my life, a new challenge and it's a day I will never forget.
“I am very proud to be a part of this ambitious project, to be a part of this squad with so many great players.
“Paris Saint-Germain is a club that has already proven itself at the highest level. I want to continue to grow and improve at Paris and help the team to win as many trophies as possible."
������������ ������������������̃������������! ✍️
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) July 8, 2021
������������ #WelcomeSergio
pic.twitter.com/n6vciD7YxU
Ramos will join a star-studded squad at PSG, where Presnel Kimpembe and Marquinhos are potential centre-back partners for the Spaniard.
And club chairman and CEO Nasser Al-Khelaïfi believes Ramos’ addition is a huge fillip for the club.
"Today, Paris welcomes one of the greatest players of our era,” he said.
"Sergio is a complete footballer, one of the best defenders in the history of the game. He is a born competitor, a leader and a true professional.
“His vast experience and ambition is in perfect synergy with those of the club. I am proud to see him in a Paris Saint-Germain jersey and I know our supporters will reserve a fantastic welcome for him."
Ramos had been a target for Manchester United, with the Red Devils in the market for a centre-back this summer.
But the Spaniard’s former colleague at the Bernabeu is believed to be the first-choice option for Ed Woodward and the United transfer chiefs to solve the team’s main defensive weakness.
“When I’ve seen Man United in problems and in trouble in games, a lot of the time teams have been given a bit of confidence,” former United defender Rio Ferdinand commented recently.
“They can see a chink in the armour of Man United. People know if they can get people one v one or play the ball over the defence, into one of the channels and then it’s a race.
“We haven’t had the players quick enough to do that in the centre-back areas. If you get someone like him [Varane], people start thinking ‘well we ain’t gonna play the ball over the top. Varane is gonna eat that up.’
“Someone like him, he’ll bring that authority, I hope, to the back line.”