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Sergio Ramos in March 2021
Photo:
PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU / AFP
The Spanish professional soccer player Sergio Ramos moves to the top French club Paris Saint-Germain.
As PSG announced on Thursday, the 35-year-old defender has signed a two-year contract.
"This is a big change in my life, a new challenge - and it is a day that I will never forget," Ramos was quoted as saying in the statement.
"I am very proud to be part of this project, a part of this team with so many great players," said the 2010 World Champion and 2008 and 2012 European Champion.
Real Madrid had not extended the contract with the defensive veteran.
The central defender was injured a lot recently and was not nominated for the European Championship.
Ramos had already arrived in France's capital on Wednesday and had passed the medical check, where he was enthusiastically received by fans.
When the change was announced, there was probably a mistake, because Paris already had a brief message about the Ramos deal on the homepage on Wednesday evening, which was then deleted a little later.
Wijnaldum, Hakimi, Donnaruma
Because the expiring contract of club icon Ramos, who played for 16 years for Los Blancos, was not renewed by the Spanish record champions, he was able to move to France for free.
According to media reports, Ramos is said to have rejected offers from two English clubs.
PSG had previously signed former Dortmund defender Achraf Hakimi.
Midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum from Liverpool FC is also new to the team, and Italy's national goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma from AC Milan is expected to announce the transfer in the next few days.
Paris is currently building a new, possibly even stronger team.
As long-time Real captain, Ramos had won 22 titles with Madrid, including four Champions League titles.
He played 671 games in the royal jersey and scored 101 goals.
Now he is hoping for more successes alongside Neymar and Kylian Mbappé.
And PSG hopes to finally win the Champions League.
ara / dpa