- Italian midfielder Marco Verratti has officially joined Qatari club Al-Arabi from French giants Paris Saint-Germain (PSG)
- Verratti helped PSG win a total of nine league titles, the Coupe de France six times and the Coupe de la Ligue also six times
Italian midfielder Marco Verratti has officially joined Qatari club Al-Arabi from French giants Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). The 30-year-old is the latest big name to move to the Middle East and had been previously linked to the Saudi Pro League.
Verratti has signed a three-year deal with the Qatar Stars League club Al-Arabi, who have paid €45 million ($48.31 million) for his transfer. He is second big name to move to Qatar in a week after Philippe Coutinho. The Brazilian talent joined Al-Duhail from Aston Villa on loan last Friday.
Marco Verratti. Photo/ Khabriya News.
Verratti will link up with former PSG teammate Rafinha at Al-Arabi. Rafinha is the twin brother of Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara.
Speaking after completing his move to the Qatari Star League, Marco Verratti said PSG and its supporters will always have a special place in his heart.
“I was very proud to wear the colours of Paris St Germain for more than a decade, to rub shoulders with so many great players, and to win 30 trophies. Paris, the Club and its supporters will always have a very special place in my heart. I will be Parisian forever.” ESPN quotes Verratti.
Marco Verratti, who is one of the most talented midfielders in the world, began his football journey in 2000 playing for the youth team of Manopello. He then joined Manopello Arabona where he spent five years.
Verratti began his senior career at Pescara and spent four years with the club. Despite playing all those seasons for the Italian club, the talented midfielder never made an appearance in the Serie A. He left his hometown club Pescara for French giants PSG in the summer of 2012.
Marco Verratti spent eleven seasons with PSG, playing in a total of 416 matches. He is the Parisians’ second highest appearance maker behind the legendary Jean-Marc Pilorget, who played in 435 matches.
Verratti helped PSG win a total of nine league titles, the Coupe de France six times and the Coupe de la Ligue also six times. He leaves as the player who has won the most Ligue 1 titles in history.
Marco Verratti has officially joined Al-Arabi. Photo/ The Sun.
Despite being a key player for PSG over the years, new manager Luis Enrique did not consider him in his plans this season. As a result, PSG placed him in the market just like other top stars Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr. Whereas Messi secured a transfer to Major League Soccer club Inter Miami, Neymar moved to Saudi Pro League’s Al Hilal.
In a statement by Paris Saint-Germain President Nasser Al-Khelaifi, Marco Verratti will always be linked to the club despite his move to Al-Arabi.
“Marco will forever be linked to Paris Saint-Germain. He has always been there for the Club, giving his whole heart on the pitch and achieving so many great things with us.” Nasser Al-Khelaifi said, as per ESPN.
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