Ramos pens 2-year deal with PSG on free transfer

Sergio Ramos is swapping the familiar comforts of the Spanish capital for its French counterpart.

The Spanish central defender has signed a two-year deal with Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer, the club announced Thursday.

Ramos joins PSG after his contract expired at Real Madrid, where the former Spain international captured 11 domestic honors and the Champions League on four occasions as part of a celebrated 16-year spell.

The 35-year-old defender left Real following a breakdown in negotiations between himself and the Spanish giants.

“In recent months, the club made me an offer of one year with a lower salary, and I want to emphasize that money was never a problem,” Ramos told reporters at his farewell press conference. “I wanted two years for continuity, for me and my family. There was never a financial issue.

“When I finally decided to accept the offer of one year and a lower salary, I was told the offer had an expiration date that I was not aware of.”

Ramos’ addition marks PSG’s third significant summer signing in the wake of a shocking second-place finish to Lille in Ligue 1.

Georginio Wijnaldum made the switch on a free transfer after the Dutch midfielder’s Liverpool terms lapsed, and the team also lured full-back Achraf Hakimi from Inter Milan for a reported €60-million fee with an additional €8 million in add-ons.

PSG are also expected to seal a free transfer for former AC Milan shot-stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma following the Italian international’s participation at Euro 2020.