'30 billion more expensive than Kim Min-jae'... Hbicha became '4th place in PSG history' with 104.8 billion! Playing with Lee Kang-in
'30 billion more expensive than Kim Min-jae'... Hbicha became '4th place in PSG history' with 104.8 billion! Playing with Lee Kang-in
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Khvitsa Kvaratshelia left Napoli for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) with a huge transfer fee, and worked with Lee Kang-in.
PSG released a statement on its website on Monday (Korea Standard Time) and said, "I'm glad to announce the signing of Khvitsa. I'm wearing No. 7. He is the first Georgian player in PSG history."
Nasser al-Khelaifi, chairman of the organization, said, "We are delighted to have recruited Hvitsa. Hvitsa is the most interesting player in world football. He is a fantastic talent. Above all, he is a player who fights for his team. Together with Hvitsa, we will achieve our goal. We are happy to have a new PSG star," expressing high expectations for Hvitsa.
Hbicha, who played for Rubin Kazan with Hwang In-beom and Napoli with Kim Min-jae, will now play for Lee Kang-in. "Georgia Special" Hbicha played in 34 Italian Serie A matches in his first season in Naples, scoring 12 goals and 10 assists. He elevated his value by making the Serie A player of the year, the king of assists, and the team of the year.
Even after Kim Min-jae's departure, he remained at Napoli to continue his career. In the 2023-24 season, when Napoli were on a shaky ground, Khvitsa also scored 11 goals and six assists in 34 Serie A matches. He has scored five goals and three assists in 17 league matches this season. Khvitsa led Georgia in the UEFA Euro 2024 and also showed his presence in the national team by playing an active role in the UEFA Nations League.
PSG, which needed a striker, recruited Hvitsa. After Kylian Mbappe left, there was no clear replacement, and Randal Kolo Muani was scheduled to leave for Juventus. PSG, who wanted to add attack and destructive power to the side, actively courted Hvitsa.
Hbicha wanted to go to PSG. Manager Antonio Conte admitted that Hbicha will move to PSG. "Hbicha is an important player in Napoli and we tried our best to keep him. Hbicha requested a transfer. I was disappointed, but I didn't want to take a step back and look at the situation. I wanted to explain the value of the project, but it was unsuccessful and we lost a good player," he said in a press conference ahead of the match against Elas Verona on Sunday.
Before the official announcement of PSG, Hvitsa sent a farewell message to Napoli fans on his SNS account, saying, "I will never forget the first goal and the feeling I had back then. Your support and energy were always special. Napoli is a city of soccer. I live in soccer. I am happy to be a part of a great history," adding, "I have grown as a player and person. It was an enormous honor to wear the Napoli uniform."
The transfer fee is reported to be 70 million euros (about W104.8 billion). It is the second highest fee ever paid by Napoli. It is below the 90 million euros (about W134.8 billion) recorded by Gonzalo Higuain when he went to Juventus in the 2016-17 season. It is 20 million euros (about W30 billion) more than Kim Min-jae recorded when he left for Bayern Munich in 2023.
In terms of PSG transfer fee, the team is in fourth place. It is ranked fourth after Neymar (222 million euros), Kylian Mbappe (180 million euros), and Randal Kolo Muani (95 million euros). As the team has recorded high transfer fee, expectation is high for Hbicha. "It is only a dream to be at PSG. I feel tremendous pride in joining such a great club. I can't wait to wear the new color uniform," Hbicha said.
Meanwhile, 안전놀이터 when Hvitsa joined, the expected PSG lineup was revealed. The soccer statistics media "Transfermarkt" presented it, and the attackers were composed of Hvitsa, Bradley Barcola, and Usman Dembele, while Vitinya, Joao Neves and Warren Zaire-Emeri were in the midfield. There was no Lee Kang-in. He is loved enough to be called "the goose that lays the golden egg of PSG," but there are predictions that he may be pushed back after Hvitsa joins the team.