Paris: Ligue 1 leaders Paris St-Germain reinforced their midfield with the signing of Lassana Diarra.
The Frenchman played for Arabian Gulf League champions Al Jazira last season.
“Paris Saint-Germain is delighted to announce it has signed midfielder Lassana Diarra to the capital club until June 30, 2019,” the club said in a statement.
Born in Paris, 32-year-old Diarra has played in several big European clubs, including Chelsea and Real Madrid, winning the Premier League title in 2006 and also finishing as La Liga champion in 2012.
He has won 34 caps for France.
“I am very happy to have signed for my home-town club. Paris Saint-Germain represents a lot to me and, with the international dimension the club has taken in recent seasons, it is every player’s dream to play here. I am lucky enough to make this dream come true,” said Diarra following his signing. “I intend to do everything I can, bring all my experience and show all my desire to play, to prove that the club has made the right choice in showing its confidence in me,” he added.
Considering Italian veteran Thiago Motta’s age and injury, PSG sealed Diarra’s move in this winter transfer window as an important back-up in midfield.
“We are delighted to welcome Lassana Diarra, a quality footballer, to Paris Saint-Germain. His vast experience, both of foreign leagues and the international football with the France national team, gives our coaching staff another option as we enter a very exciting second half of the season,” commented PSG chairman and chief executive Nasser Al Khelaifi.
