Kylian Mbappe announces PSG exit with Real Madrid his likely destination

Kylian Mbappe has been at Paris Saint-Germain for seven seasons – Getty Images/Patrick Hertzog

Kylian Mbappé has announced his departure from Paris Saint-Germain at the end of his contract next month and paved the way for a free transfer to Real Madrid by looking for a “new challenge” away from France.

‌The 25-year-old will play his last at Parc des Princes as a PSG player on Sunday with the Ligue 1 title already secured, with his final match for the club being in the French Cup on May 25.

‌He has been expected to sign a five-year contract with Real Madrid, with his departure from PSG timed now as the two clubs cannot meet in the Champions League final this season. Mbappé addressed fans in a social media post lasting 3mins 51 seconds where he confirmed he will leave.

‌“It’s my last year at Paris Saint-Germain,” he said. “I will not extend and the adventure will come to an end in a few weeks. I will play my last game at the Parc des Princes on Sunday.

‌“It’s a lot of emotions, many years where I had the chance and the great honour to be a member of the biggest French club, one of the best in the world, which allowed me to arrive here, to have my first experience at a club with a lot of pressure, to grow of course by being alongside some of the best in history, some of the greatest champions, to meet a lot of people and to grow as a man as well with all the glory and the mistakes I’ve made.”

‌Mbappé signed a contract with PSG two years ago and displayed a shirt with 2025 printed on the back, although the terms of the deal meant he signed until 2024 with an option for a further year. He made it clear he would not be taking the option which put Real on alert as early as last summer when they planned to have ‌Mbappé and Jude Bellingham as the future of their team.

‌While he won six Ligue 1 titles in his seven years at PSG after joining from Monaco, Mbappé‘s relationship with supporters has been complex particularly since it became apparent he would not be staying beyond this year.

‌He confirmed in his public address that he would be leaving France. Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal made a world-record £259 million bid for Mbappé last year but the did not entertain moving to the Middle East.

‌“It’s hard, hard. I never thought it would be this difficult to announce to leave my country,” he said. “The Ligue 1 championship is something I have always known but I think I needed this – a new challenge after seven years.

‌“I haven’t always lived up to the love you all gave me for seven years but I never wanted to cheat, I always wanted to be effective. I do not regret signing for this club.”

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