PSG welcomes the 6th most expensive rookie in the club's history

After weeks of anticipation, Manuel Ugarte's transfer from Sporting Lisbon to PSG has finally been completed. The Parc des Princes team officially welcomed the 4th new player this summer and the 6th most expensive player in the club's history.

After coach Luis Enrique, center-back Milan Skriniar and midfielder Marco Asensio, PSG has officially introduced the new 22-year-old Ugarte for a fee of 60 million euros. "PSG is delighted to welcome Manuel Ugarte to the club from the 2023/24 season. The Uruguayan midfielder will wear the number 4 shirt and be with the club until June 30, 2028," PSG's official website announced.

To sign the midfielder, who has played for Uruguay eight times, PSG had to invest 60 million euros, making him the 6th most expensive signing in the club's history. Only Neymar (222 million euros), Kylian Mbappe (180 million euros), Achraf Hakimi (68 million euros), Edinson Cavani (64.5 million euros) and Angel di Maria (63 million euros) had higher transfer fees than Ugarte.

If counting after Mbappe in the summer of 2018 (Mbappe played for PSG in the 2017/18 season on loan with an option to buy at the end of the season), Ugarte is the second most expensive contract, only after Hakimi. At PSG, he receives a salary after tax of 3 million euros/season.

By signing Ugarte, PSG is determined to improve their midfield, which has been playing very poorly, especially in the 2022/23 season after Marco Verratti's disastrous form. Last season, Ugarte was the midfielder with the highest passing, tackling, dribbling and ball recovery rates in the Portuguese league.

Ugarte's profile fits the type of midfielder PSG are looking for. Therefore, fans of the French capital team hope that he is the breath of fresh air that can significantly change the "weak" midfield of the reigning Ligue 1 champions.

PSG welcomes the 6th most expensive rookie in the club's history