Paris Saint-Germain recruits Russian goalkeeper Matvey Safonov

The transfer was expected, it was made official on Friday June 14. In a press release, Paris Saint-Germain announced the arrival of goalkeeper Matvey Safonov from next season. At 25, the Russian international (14 caps) leaves FK Krasnodar where he kept the cages during his first seven professional years and signed a five-year contract in the French capital.

If the amount of his transfer – around 20 million euros according to several media – is not insignificant for a goalkeeper a priori led to simply play understudies for Gianluigi Donnarumma, this movement is especially in the context of the war in Ukraine. No player from Russia had been recruited for so much money since the start of hostilities in February 2022. This invasion led to sanctions against Russian athletes who, for example, will only be able to participate in the Olympic Games under a neutral flag. and under strict conditions.

“I am very happy to join Paris Saint-Germain, one of the greatest clubs in terms of its history and its track record. I’m already looking forward to meeting my new teammates, defending my new colors and making the supporters proud. Go Paris ! », reacted the goalkeeper in a press release published by PSG. The Parisian club, for its part, welcomed a player who “ contributed to the very good run of FK Krasnodar, finishing the championship in second position, one point behind Zenit Saint-Petersburg”. Safonov started the 30 rounds of the Russian championship (27 goals conceded).

With this arrival, the Parisian club now has four goalkeepers including number 1 Gianluigi Donnarumma, who is preparing to play the Euro with Italy, three years after winning it in England. The recruitment of Safonov is also the first movement of the summer at Paris Saint-Germain.