Paris Saint-Germain have confirmed their first signing of the summer window, as Russian goalkeeper Matvey Safonov has joined on a long-term deal.
The 25-year-old arrives from boyhood club Krasnodar and becomes Les Parisiens' first arrival since the departure of Real Madrid-bound Kylian Mbappe on a free transfer.
PSG are understood to have paid an initial €15m (£12.7m) to bring Safonov to the Parc des Princes, and the deal could reach up to €20m (£16.9m) through performance-related add-ons.
Les Parisiens have allowed two backup goalkeepers in Keylor Navas and Alexandre Letellier to leave the club, but Safonov is expected to compete for the number one with Gianluigi Donnarumma and Arnau Tenas rather than simply play second or third fiddle to the former.
The goalkeeper's departure from Russia was allegedly delayed due to a legal dispute with his ex-wife over unpaid financial support - according to RMC Sport - but the matter has now been resolved.
Safonov has signed a five-year contract with Les Parisiens until the end of the 2028-29 season and expressed his pride at representing the Ligue 1 champions in his first interview with club media, while also looking ahead to his battle with Donnarumma.
"I'm really happy to be joining Paris Saint-Germain, one of the world's biggest clubs in terms of its history and what it has won. I can't wait to meet my new teammates, defend my new colours and make the fans proud," Safonov said.
👀 Welcome to Paris 🔴🔵#WelcomeSafonov
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) June 14, 2024
pic.twitter.com/BM7KaRt5YN
Safonov talks up Donnarumma partnership after PSG arrival
"I was a bit nervous, but now I'm happy. PSG is one of the biggest clubs with a history of trophies. It's a great team, a great club. When PSG asked me to join them, it was impossible to say no.
"I want to improve here and this is a great opportunity for me. I don't think there's any pressure for me, I'm a calm person. I always try to help my teammates. If I want to say something and when I want to do something for them, I try to do it.
"I'm ready to talk to the big players - for me, it's very interesting to be able to improve by Donnarumma's side. It's a positive thing, I want us to work together."
Safonov - who served as Krasnodar's captain - leaves the Russian outfit with 53 clean sheets under his belt from 175 matches, including 11 clean sheets from 30 top-flight outings in the 2023-24 campaign.
Before Russian teams were banned from the Champions League, Safonov started in goal in group matches against Chelsea, Rennes and Sevilla in the 2020-21 campaign, keeping a clean sheet in a 1-0 win over the French side.
The 25-year-old has also made four appearances for his country and started two of their matches at Euro 2024, a 1-0 victory over Finland and a 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Denmark.
Ben Knapton
