Former Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum has joined Paris St Germain on a three-year contract following his departure from Anfield.
The Holland midfielder, who turns 31 later this year, failed to agree new terms with the Reds after negotiations hit an impasse over salary and length of the new deal because of his age and he said his farewells in front of a crowd of 10,000 in the final match of the season at home to Crystal Palace.
He was linked with a reunion with former national team boss Ronald Koeman at Barcelona but with finances tight at the Catalan club, PSG became the preferred destination.
🔴🔵 #WeAreParispic.twitter.com/qHd7Se42cV — Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) June 10, 2021
“Signing for Paris St Germain is a new challenge for me,” Wijnaldum told psg.fr.
“I’m joining one of the best squads in Europe and I want to bring all my desire and commitment to this ambitious project.
“Paris St Germain have proved how good they are in recent years and I am convinced that together, with our supporters, we can go even further and higher.”
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp paid a glowing tribute to the player after his arrival in the French capital was confirmed.
“I will miss the player he is like crazy – highest-quality ability, one of the smartest players I have ever had the privilege to coach,” he told liverpoolfc.com.
A key part of so many of our magical moments, @GWijnaldum ❤️ pic.twitter.com/mXJmglmDFf — Liverpool FC (@LFC) June 10, 2021
“His contribution was off the scale, a manager’s dream. But as a person he’ll leave just as big a hole.
“Of course, he is now someone else’s and on behalf of the team we wish him great success in France with PSG.
“Farewell, Gini: you came, you saw, you won the lot. You’re a Liverpool legend now and forever.”
