PSG bolsters assault with signing of Spain World Cup hero Ferran Torres

PARIS — Champions League titleholder Paris Saint-Germain bolstered its star-studded assault by signing World Cup hero Ferran Torres from Barcelona on a five-year contract Saturday.

PSG introduced the signing in an announcement with out giving monetary particulars. Sports activities Day by day L’Equipe mentioned the membership was paying the Spanish champion 50 million euros (US$58 million) for Torres. The French crew mentioned he’ll put on the No. 9 jersey.

The 26-year-old Torres scored Spain’s successful purpose throughout further time of the World Cup last towards a sturdy and bodily Argentina facet. Introduced on as a second-half substitute, he pounced on a bouncing ball and drove a left-foot shot below the crossbar.

It was his solely purpose of the competitors and he mentioned it was “scored by 47 million folks,” referring to Spain’s inhabitants.

The switch to PSG is his second large transfer. Barcelona signed Torres from Manchester Metropolis through the January 2022 switch window for a reported charge of 55 million euros. Earlier than becoming a member of Metropolis in 2020, he performed for Valencia.

Extra of a roaming ahead than a prolific scorer, he netted 65 targets in 207 video games for Barcelona, together with a career-high 21 in all competitions final season. However his contract was set to run out subsequent yr and Barcelona reportedly needed to pay a charge to Metropolis if he was to increase it.

Torres had performed briefly alongside PSG ahead Ousmane Dembélé when the France star was at Barça.

The transfer reunites Torres with Spanish coach Luis Enrique, who gave the participant his worldwide debut in 2020 when he was answerable for Spain. Luis Enrique took over at PSG in 2023 and has led the crew to back-to-back Champions League titles in addition to the French league title in every of his three seasons in cost.

PSG boasts attacking choices

Enrique has a number of choices in assault, with Ballon d’Or winner Dembélé, Désiré Doué, Bradley Barcola — who has been linked with a summer time transfer to Liverpool — Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and new signing Maghnes Akliouche.

Dembélé arrange Doué for PSG’s winner towards Aston Villa within the UEFA Tremendous Cup on Wednesday after Kvaratskhelia had given PSG the lead in a 2-1 victory.

It’s the primary of a doable six trophies this season for PSG, which turned the primary crew to win back-to-back Tremendous Cup titles since Actual Madrid (2016 and ’17).

PSG faces French Cup winner Lens on Sunday within the Trophée des Champions, which is a match between final season’s league and cup winners.