Sergio Ramos (35) became a free agent on July 1 after spending 16 years with Real Madrid. On Thursday, Ramos penned a contract with French powerhouse PSG, that will keep him at the club until 2023.
The defender couldn’t reach an agreement with Real Madrid to extend his stay at the Bernabeu. With his future uncertain, he became a target for the Manchester giants, City and United, but, in the end, he chose Paris. The deal became official on Thursday, with Ramos and his family traveling to Paris for his unveiling.
ð’ð¢ ð’ðžð§Ìƒð¨ð«! âœï¸
🔴🔵 #WelcomeSergio pic.twitter.com/I26WKleStg
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) July 8, 2021
Ramos’ transfer announcement came less than 48 hours after PSG hit the market with another big move, having signed Achraf Hakimi (22) from Inter in exchange for $71 million. The transfer fee could go up by $13 million, depending on certain clauses. PSG is also getting ready for another big signing; Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma (22) will become a PSG player at the end of Euro 2020. He is currently a free agent, having left AC Milan. Earlier this summer, PSG also signed former Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum (30).
Ta nouvelle maison, @AchrafHakimi ! â¤ï¸ðŸ’™ pic.twitter.com/eRz2s4yPgR
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) July 8, 2021
Ramos, hungry for more
Ramos won four Champions League trophies, five La Liga titles, and four Club World Cups at Real, but he’s motivated to continue winning. PSG’s hierarchy hopes he’ll lead the defense and contribute heavily to the club’s attempt to win the Champions League next season.
“It’s a big change in my life, a new challenge for me, but I am very proud to be here,” Ramos told PSG TV. “I come here with a lot of desire, I want to work hard and win trophies, two core values of this club. I am very happy to be a part of such a big club,” the Spanish defender added.
Ramos sees PSG not only as a vehicle to win more trophies, but also as a “chance to grow personally and professionally”.
“I start each season with the same motivation, I challenge myself each time to start from scratch and I have the same determination each time, the same desire to win. That is what I will do here too,” Ramos vowed.
Ramos battled muscle and knee problems during last season. He only played once since March, in the 2-0 Champions League semi-final second-leg defeat against Chelsea, in early May. He wasn’t part of Spain’s Euro 2020 squad, with manager Luis Enrique saying Ramos needed time to focus on his full recovery.
Ramos will be on a $12 million per season salary at PSG.
