PSG sign Ukrainian defender Illia Zabarnyi from Bournemouth

By AFP
August 13, 2025
Bournemouths Ilya Zabarnyi during the warm up before the match. —Reuters/File
Bournemouth's Ilya Zabarnyi during the warm up before the match. —Reuters/File

PARIS: European champions Paris Saint-Germain said on Tuesday they have signed Ukrainian centre-back Illia Zabarnyi from Premier League club Bournemouth.

British media reports said the deal was worth around £57 million ($76.7 million, 66 million euros). “Paris Saint-Germain are excited to welcome Illia Zabarnyi,” PSG said in a statement, adding he would be the first Ukrainian ever to play for the club.

The arrival of Zabarnyi, 22, could jeopardise the place of Brazilian stalwart Marquinhos in the starting lineup. Zabarnyi had an impressive 2024-2025 season in England when Bournemouth finished ninth and the club’s supporters voted him their player of the season in the previous campaign.

Bournemouth have now sold three of their first-choice defensive lineup from last season after Milos Kerkez moved to Premier League champions Liverpool and Dean Huijsen was transferred to Real Madrid.

Qatar-owned PSG, who thrashed Inter Milan 5-0 to win the Champions League for the first time in May, also signed highly-rated Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier last Saturday, a move that appears to herald the possible departure of Gianluigi Donnarumma. The Italian international ‘keeper has not been included in the squad for Wednesday’s European Super Cup final against Europa League winners Tottenham in Italy.