Marco Verratti leaves PSG after 11 years to join Qatar side Al-Arabi for record fee

The Italy midfielder Marco Verratti has signed for the Qatari side Al-Arabi, ending his 11-year stay at Paris Saint-Germain. Verratti’s transfer fee is reportedly around €45m (£38.6m) – a record for the Qatar league.

Verratti, who turns 31 in November, signed for PSG from the Serie B club Pescara in the summer of 2012. He went on to win Ligue 1 nine times while also helping the French club to reach the final of the 2019-20 Champions League, where they were beaten 1-0 by Bayern Munich.

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A key part of Italy’s successful Euro 2020 side, Verratti had also been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia this summer. He leaves Paris after 416 appearances for PSG, the second-highest total in the club’s history, and a record haul of 30 trophies.

“I’ve been very proud to play for Paris Saint-Germain for over a decade, to rub shoulders with so many great players and to win 30 trophies,” Verratti said. “Paris, the club and its fans will always hold a very special place in my heart. I’ll forever be a Parisian.”

The PSG president, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, said: “Marco will be forever linked to Paris Saint-Germain, playing such a big part in our great history. He will always be part of the club. We wish him all the very best with his new adventure.”