Paris Saint-Germain have announced the signature of Senegal international midfielder Idrissa Gueye from EPL side Everton. In England for the past four years, the former LOSC player has made his return to Ligue 1 Conforama.
In search of a dedicated holding midfielder for the last several transfer windows, Paris Saint-Germain have finally found their man in the form of Everton's Senegalese ball-winner Idrissa Gueye. Just weeks after reaching the AFCON final against Algeria in Egypt (a 1-0 defeat), Gueye signed a €32m deal that links him to the capital club through to 2023.
'Boost'
"After having remained focused on AFCON with my team, I wanted to give a new boost to my club career by getting involved with Paris Saint-Germain, which offers one of the most structured and ambitious sports projects in Europe," he said after putting pen to paper.
Unlike fellow midfield recruits Ander Herrera and Pablo Sarabia, Gueye has a wealth of experience in Ligue 1 Conforama - 134 appearances over five seasons - and is an out-and-out holding midfielder by trade. This is the sixth PSG recruit, after Abdou Diallo, Pablo Sarabia, Ander Herrera, Marcin Bulka and Mitchel Bakker.
French Champion with Rudi Garcia
A product of the Diambars Institute youth academy in Senegal, 'Gana' arrived at LOSC at the age of 18 to complete his apprenticeship before being given his first start in Ligue 1 Conforama by then-LOSC boss Rudi Garcia on 24 October 2010 (LOSC 1-3 OM).
That same season, he won the league and cup double (2010-2011). He was a starter in the Coupe de France final, which saw LOSC beat PSG 1-0 just before the team - which featured the likes of Eden Hazard, Adil Rami, Gervinho and Moussa Sow - claimed the league title.
First-team mainstay at Everton
Looking to take his career to the next level, the Dakar native made the move across the Channel in 2015, signing for Aston Villa. Despite a successful adaptation to the English league (35 matches), the midfielder, with his impressive volume of play, could not prevent his club from being relegated.
Everton pounced on the opportunity and signed Gueye to a four-year deal. With the Toffees, he became a Premier League fixture, with 99 matches in three seasons. At the age of 29, he returned to France looking to shine in Ligue 1 Conforama and the Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain.