Kylian Mbappe has finally completed his move to Real Madrid, with the World Cup winner set to land an eye-popping €150m signing-on bonus in that deal.
♦ Severed ties with PSG as a free agent
♦ Taking on a new challenge in Spain
♦ Lucrative deal agreed at the Bernabeu
WHAT HAPPENED?
The France international had been heavily linked with the Blancos for some time, with interest from Spain first shown prior to a big-money move from Monaco to Paris Saint-Germain being made in 2017. Mbappe has become PSG’s all-time leading goalscorer across the last seven years, but is now heading to Santiago Bernabeu as a free agent.
WHAT MBAPPE SAID
Mbappe has said of linking up with the newly-crowned La Liga title winners and 15-time champions of Europe – with images of him as a youngster alongside Cristiano Ronaldo being posted on social media: “So happy and proud to join the club of my dream. Nobody can understand how excited I am right now. Can’t wait to see you, Madridistas, and thanks for your unbelievable support. Hala Madrid!”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
The terms of Mbappe’s lucrative contract in Paris mean that he will be taking a pay cut when making his way to Madrid. The 25-year-old will, however, still be earning €15m (£13m/$16m) a season while seeing a €150m (£128m/$163m) signing-on bonus paid in instalments over the course of his five-year contract.
WHAT NEXT?
Mbappe will also keep a percentage of his image rights, as Real look to sweeten his deal, and will be hoping to hit his debut campaign alongside Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr and Co running following international duty at Euro 2024 – with Madrid understood to have blocked him from forming part of Olympic Games plans in Paris.