Paris Saint-Germain sign Spain’s World Cup hero Ferran Torres from Barcelona
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Ferran Torres (centre) taking part in a training session with his new club Paris Saint-Germain on Aug 15.
PHOTO: REUTERS
PARIS – Spain’s World Cup final hero Ferran Torres is hoping to add to his trophy collection after joining European champions Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona and reuniting with his former coach Luis Enrique.
Both clubs announced a deal for the 26-year-old forward on Aug 15, which sees him signing a five-year contract with the French giants. Financial details were not disclosed, but media reports said PSG paid €50 million (S$74 million).
“I’m delighted to be beginning a new adventure at such an ambitious club as Paris Saint-Germain,” Torres said in a statement.
“I'd like to thank president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, (PSG’s football adviser) Luis Campos and coach Luis Enrique for giving me the opportunity to join the team, which I hope to help win as many trophies as possible.”
He adds more firepower to an already star-studded forward line that includes the likes of Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Bradley Barcola.
But Enrique believes new players are needed to “bring a different energy”.
Speaking at a press conference on Aug 15, he hailed Torres as “a world-class player who can play in any attacking position”, adding: “We appreciate his mentality. We’re continuing to work on strengthening our team and finding players who will best suit what we need.
“To keep winning, we have to make tough decisions. New players bring a different energy to the team. It’s very important to make changes.”
In an interview published on the club website, Torres said Enrique, 56, is like a “father figure” to him.
While he was coach of Spain in 2020, Enrique had handed Torres his international debut.
“When I trained with him on the national team, he always showed great faith in me,” said the forward, who has scored 25 goals in 65 appearances for Spain.
“Having the chance to work under him again fills me with excitement and makes me eager to take on this project.”
Torres arrives in the French capital after scoring an extra-time winner in the World Cup final against Argentina in July.
The forward racked up 21 goals and three assists in 49 appearances across all competitions for Barca in their last campaign as the Spanish giants retained their La Liga title.
He believes he can add to his silverware collection with PSG, who have won back-to-back Champions League titles.
On what drew him to PSG, he said: “It’s a winning project, built around very young players, so it’s set up for years to come. And why not win a Champions League here? I’ve never won one and I believe this is the right club to do it.”
But to do that, he knows he needs to get down to work fast.
Describing himself as a hardworking player who likes to run for his teammates, he added: “This is a winning team, so I have to live up to that standard. I need to help my teammates as much as possible and bring a lot of joy to our amazing fans.”
His arrival could hasten the departure of Barcola, who sparkled for France at the World Cup.
Liverpool have reportedly been in talks with PSG for weeks over the 23-year-old, but the French giants’ asking price of around €150 million is proving to be the stumbling block. REUTERS
