Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has joined Paris Saint-Germain from Serie A side Napoli on a contract until 2029, the Ligue 1 club announced on Friday.
“PSG is pleased to announce the signing of Hviča Kvaratscheria,” the club said in a statement. “The 23-year-old winger, who will wear the number 7 shirt, becomes the first Georgian player in the club’s history.”
“It’s a dream to come here. I’ve heard a lot of very good things about PSG,” said Kvaratschelia, who bid farewell to Napoli fans in a post on social media on Thursday. “I am extremely proud to be joining this great club and am really looking forward to wearing the new colors.”
Neither side has revealed the financial details of the deal, but media reports suggest the French champions paid a €70m (approximately £59.1m) transfer fee plus additional fees for the 23-year-old.
Kvaratschelia arrived in the French capital after failing to reach an agreement with Napoli on a contract extension until 2027. Georgian international Kvaratskhelia was rumored to be moving to PSG last summer, telling Napoli coach Antonio Conte: He said he wanted to quit the club last week.
A cardboard cutout of Kviča Kvaratschelia is thrown away in a trash can somewhere in Naples. Photo: Ciro Fusco/EPA
After signing for Napoli in 2022, the player affectionately known by fans as ‘Cuvaladona’ was named Serie A’s Player of the Season. Kvaratschelia scored 12 goals and provided 13 assists in 34 games, helping the club win their first Scudetto in 33 years.
“Khuvica is one of the most exciting players in world football. He is not only a great talent, but also a player who fights for his team with great courage,” said PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi. said. “He was very determined to be part of our great club. I know he can achieve all his goals with us.”
Frankfurt beats Dortmund and gets excited about signing Sahin
Borussia Dortmund suffered a 2-0 defeat at Eintracht Frankfurt on Friday, their third consecutive Bundesliga defeat, and the pressure on coach Nuri Sahin increased even more.
Selhou Guirassi’s header early on was deflected off the away team’s post, but Dortmund ended their fight back with Hugo Ekitike’s shot into the goal in the 18th minute, resulting in a called defeat. Eintracht, without striker Omar Marmouche, came close to scoring a second goal four minutes later, but Ansgar Knauf’s curled shot hit the post.
Despite trying for an equalizer, Dortmund were unable to claw their way back into the game, and earned a booking instead, having twice called for penalties after Guirassi collapsed in the penalty area. Eintracht scored again in stoppage time as Oskar Hojlund, younger brother of Manchester United’s Rasmus Hojlund, was given space.
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Hugo Ekitike scored the first goal for Eintracht Frankfurt. Photo: Heiko Becker/Reuters
Frankfurt, who remain third in the table, said before the match that Marmouche was absent as transfer talks were ongoing with an unknown club. Manchester City are reportedly close to signing the striker, who has scored 15 goals in the Bundesliga this season.
In Ligue 1, Monaco suffered a shock defeat to bottom club Montpellier, ending their hopes of finishing in the top four. Thilo Keller put the visitors ahead at half-time, but Musa Al Tamari scored twice in the second half to end the hosts’ seven-game winless run in all competitions.
Lille capitalized on Monaco’s blunder and fought back to beat Nice 2-1 and move into third place, ahead of both clubs. Sofiane Diop put Nice ahead, and goals from Harkin Haralson and Bafode Diakité in the second half sealed the victory for the hosts.
In Serie A, Roma continued their resurgence under coach Claudio Ranieri, winning 3-1 at home to Genoa and winning their sixth straight match at the Stadio Olimpico. Artem Dovvik put the ball home with a rebound to take the lead, and after Patrizio Masini’s equalizer, Stephan El Shaarawy and Paulo Dybala sealed the victory.
