Sergio Ramos joined Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer after leaving Real Madrid.
The 35-year-old left Madrid after his contract expired after helping Los Blancos win five La Liga titles and four Champions League titles during his 16 years in the Spanish capital.
Ramos, who wanted a two-year commitment from Madrid, said in June that he had belatedly accepted a one-year contract offer from the club, only for his retirement.
He has now joined PSG, connecting with Madrid’s discussed goal Kylian Mbappe and former Clasico rival Neymar in Paris, with the center-back signing a two-year contract.
Ramos could fill the gap left in PSG defense since Thiago Silva’s departure at Chelsea in 2020, with Presnel Kimpembe fielding some erratic performances last season, while Thilo Kehrer and Abdou Diallo also failed to come forward, entrusting firmly the onus on Marquinhos to execute.
Club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi said: “Paris today welcomes one of the greatest players of our time. We are happy to announce that Sergio Ramos is joining us.
“Sergio is a complete player, one of the best defenders in history. He is a born competitor, a leader and a great professional.
His great experience and ambitions are in perfect harmony with those of the club. I am proud to see him with the Paris Saint-Germain shirt and I know that our fans will give him a fantastic welcome. “
Ramos added: “I am very happy to join Paris Saint-Germain. It’s a big change in my life, a new challenge and a day I’ll never forget.
“I am proud to be part of this very ambitious project, to be part of a team with great players. It is a club that has already proven itself at the highest level with solid foundations. I want to continue growing with Paris and help the team work to win titles ”.
Having lost the Spanish squad for Euro 2020 due to injury issues, Ramos is hoping to not only help Mauricio Pochettino’s side regain the Ligue 1 title, but also move forward in the Champions League as the club seeks to break their competition duck.
Ramos not only brings defensive skills and experience – he helped Real Madrid to 206 goalless – but he is the only defender to have scored 100 goals while playing in one of Europe’s top five leagues since the turn of the century.
The only players to overtake Ramos for Real Madrid in all competitions since 2000 are Cristiano Ronaldo (450), Karim Benzema (279), Raul (225), Gonzalo Higuain (119) and Gareth Bale (105).
His total of 101 goals is split between Sevilla and Madrid, although he has only scored three times for the Andalusian club before his move to the capital.
Ramos has played over 40 times in all competitions for Real Madrid in all but two of his seasons at the club – his lowest attendance tally last season, when he managed just 21 games, all as a starter.