Neymar Bids Adieu to Barcelona, to Sport PSG Jersey for Next 5 Yrs

The Brazilian football star has signed a five-year contract with Paris St Germain.

File photo of Neymar in Barcelona jersey. 

(Photo: AP)

Brazilian striker Neymar signed a five-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), the soccer club said in a statement on Thursday.

The 25-year-old is committed to PSG until 30 June 2022, the club said. He is transferring from FC Barcelona.

Today, with the arrival of Neymar Jr, I am convinced that we will come even closer, with the support of our faithful fans, to realising our greatest dreams.

Nasser Al-Khelaifi, PSG President

Barcelona said on Thursday that forward Neymar’s legal representatives had paid his 222 million euros ($263 million) release clause.

Barcelona said in a statement that his legal representatives “visited in person the club’s offices and made the payment of 222 million euros in the player’s name with regards to the unilateral termination of the contract that united both parties.”

Barcelona said they would pass on details of the operation to European soccer body UEFA “so that they can determine the disciplinary responsibilities that may arise from this case.”

UEFA, whose financial fair play rules ban clubs from spending more than their generated revenue, could not immediately be reached for comment.

A source from Spain’s La Liga said earlier on Thursday that the league had rejected the payment of the clause after Neymar’s lawyers visited its headquarters in Madrid to try to settle the transfer and pay the fee.

It was not immediately clear whether La Liga's refusal to accept payment would put the brakes on a transfer that mega-rich PSG believe will help them conquer the Champions League.

(We all love to express ourselves, but how often do we do it in our mother tongue? Here's your chance! This Independence Day, khul ke bol with BOL– Love your Bhasha. Sing, write, perform, spew poetry – whatever you like – in your mother tongue. Send us your BOL at [e-mail] WhatsApp it to 9910181818.)