Football
Richard Jolly, ESPN.com writer 9y

Angel Di Maria completes PSG move from Man United for €63m

Manchester United winger Angel Di Maria has completed his transfer to Paris Saint-Germain, signing a four-year contract after moving for a fee of €63 million (£44m).

Di Maria, 27, has become the French champions' biggest summer buy after sealing his transfer just a year after he joined United as their record signing.

Both clubs confirmed the deal on Thursday, with United wishing the player "all the best for the future" in a statement. PSG revealed in news release that the player will be presented to fans before their Ligue 1 opener against Gazelec Ajaccio on Sunday, Aug. 16.

The Argentina international passed a medical in Doha, Qatar, bringing his Old Trafford career to a conclusion after one season and at a loss of almost £16m in transfer fees.

Di Maria told PSG's official website: "I am very proud, and can't wait to wear the colours of Paris Saint-Germain. I want to win every competition we enter, both in France and Europe.

"I want to win the Champions League, which is a dream for all footballers, for a second time. We will do everything we can to bring Europe's biggest trophy to France and the fans of Paris Saint-Germain."

PSG president Nasser Al Khelaifi said: "We are very proud that Angel Di Maria has chosen Paris Saint-Germain. He is an incredibly talented player, with a frightening speed and ability to beat opposition players.

"He adds his name to the club's strong South American community and, above all, the big Paris Saint-Germain family. By signing Angel Di Maria, Paris Saint-Germain is once again showing the club's constant ambition to reach the summits of the European game."

Di Maria cost a British record £59.7m when he joined United from Real Madrid in August 2014 just week after being named as Man of the Match in Los Blancos' Champions League final win over Atletico Madrid.

But he only scored four goals in 32 games for United, failing to find the net in the Premier League after October, and lost his place in manager Louis van Gaal's preferred side after he was sent off in March's FA Cup defeat to Arsenal.

Di Maria, who had helped Argentina reach the final of the Copa America this summer and the World Cup final last year, failed to catch a flight to California to join up with United on their preseason tour and manager Van Gaal twice said he did not know where his most expensive signing was.

Following confirmation of the deal, a statement on United's official website read: "After representing Argentina at the Copa America, he did not participate on Tour 2015, presented by Aon, so his final appearance for the club came against Hull City when he was injured and withdrawn in the first half.

"Di Maria is now embarking on a new challenge and the club wishes him all the best for the future."

PSG, who had also shown an interest in Di Maria last summer, had voiced their confidence he would join them with manager Laurent Blanc saying a move was "close" last Thursday.

Blanc has also brought in Kevin Trapp, Benjamin Stambouli, Serge Aurier and Sessi D'Almeida this summer but Di Maria has become his side's flagship acquisition.

The fee United have received for Di Maria is the second biggest they have ever recouped after the £80m sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real in 2009.

The former Benfica winger becomes the fifth senior player to leave United this summer after Robin van Persie, Nani, Tom Cleverley, Rafael da Silva and Radamel Falcao, who was on loan at Old Trafford last season.

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