The Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has joined Paris Saint-Germain from Serie A side Napoli on a deal until 2029, the Ligue 1 club announced on Friday.
“PSG are delighted to announce the signing of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia,” the club said in a statement. “The 23-year-old winger, who will wear the No 7 shirt, becomes the first Georgian player in the club’s history.”
“It’s a dream to be here. I’ve heard so many positive things about PSG,” said Kvaratskhelia, who bid farewell to Napoli fans in a social media post on Thursday. “I feel immense pride in joining this great club and I’m really looking forward to wearing my new colours.”
Neither side disclosed the financial details of the deal, but media reports claim the French champions have paid a €70m (£59.1m) fee plus add-ons for the 23-year-old.
Kvaratskhelia arrives in the French capital after failing to reach an agreement with Napoli to extend his contract, which was due to run until 2027. The Georgia international had previously been linked with a move to PSG last summer and told the Napoli coach, Antonio Conte, that he wanted to leave the club last week.
After signing for Napoli in 2022, the player nicknamed “Kvaradona” by fans was named Serie A’s player of the season. Kvaratskhelia helped the club win their first Scudetto in 33 years, delivering 12 goals and 13 assists in 34 games.
“Khvicha is one of the most exciting players in world football. A fantastic talent, but also a player who has courage and fights for the team above all else,” said the PSG president, Nasser al-Khelaifi. “He was so determined to be part of our great club. I know he will achieve all his goals with us.”
Frankfurt down Dortmund to turn up heat on Sahin
Borussia Dortmund slumped to a 2-0 loss at Eintracht Frankfurt on Friday, their third straight Bundesliga defeat that piles more pressure on the coach Nuri Sahin.
Serhou Guirassy’s early header bounced off the post for the visitors, but Dortmund were caught cold in the 18th minute when Hugo Ekitiké slotted home to finish off a counterattack. Eintracht, who were without striker Omar Marmoush, came close to a second goal four minutes later but Ansgar Knauff’s curled effort hit the post.
Dortmund could not find a way back into the game despite pressing for an equaliser, with Guirassy twice calling for a penalty after going down in the box but instead earning a booking. Eintracht struck again in stoppage time as Oscar Højlund – younger brother of Manchester United’s Rasmus Højlund – was given space to pick his spot.
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Frankfurt, who stay third in the table, said before the game that Marmoush was absent while transfer talks were ongoing with an unnamed club. Manchester City are reportedly close to signing the striker, who has scored 15 Bundesliga goals this season.
In Ligue 1, Monaco suffered a shock defeat to bottom club Montpellier in a blow to their hopes of a top-four finish. Thilo Kehrer put the visitors in front at half-time but Mousa Al-Taamari struck twice in the second half to end the hosts’ seven-match winless run in all competitions.
Lille took advantage of Monaco’s slip, fighting back to beat Nice 2-1 and climb above both clubs into third place. Second-half goals from Hákin Haraldsson and Bafodé Diakité earned the hosts victory after Sofiane Diop had opened the scoring for Nice.
In Serie A, Roma continued their revival under Claudio Ranieri with a 3-1 home victory over Genoa – their sixth consecutive win at the Stadio Olimpico. Artem Dovbyk turned the ball home on the rebound to open the scoring, with Stephan El Shaarawy and Paulo Dybala sealing victory after Patrizio Masini’s leveller.
