Paris Saint-Germain have signed their fourth recruit of the summer. After Nuno Mendes (definitive transfer), Vitinha and Hugo Ekitike, Nordi Mukiele has arrived to reinforce the French champions through to 2027. After attending the Paris FC academy, he joined Stade Lavallois and then the defender made his Ligue 1 Uber Eats debut at 19 years old in the colours of Montpellier Hérault SC.

In 18 months with La Paillade, he played 50 games in the elite before moving abroad to RB Leipzig in the summer of 2018. Across the Rhine, the youngster - who can play in the centre or on the right-hand side of defence - has built a solid reputation by being an important player for the German club (10 goals and 11 assists in 146 games), be it in the Bundesliga or in the Champions League (23 games). He left the club on a high, just after claiming the DFB Pokal last May.

Home comforts

A youth international, Nordi Mukiele celebrated his first cap with Les Bleus on September 7, 2021, against Finland. At 24 years old, the native of Montreuil wasn't able to hide his joy when signed for Paris and returned to his native city.

"Playing in your home town is necessarily a dream. I grew up in the Paris region, so playing for Paris is a source of great pride for me, for my friends and for my family. And I am very happy to have worked hard and to be able to be here today. When I knew that Paris were interested in me and that they wanted me to come here, I obviously thought long and hard, because it is very important. It's a very big step in my career; it's not a choice to be taken lightly. But I think and I'm sure I made the right choice."

Ajaccio bolstered at the back

Earlier in the day, promoted AC Ajaccio made official the recruitment of Fernand Mayembo from AC Le Havre. The 26-year-old defender has signed for two seasons plus an optional year with Olivier Pantaloni's team. A Congolese international, he played 82 games in Ligue 2 BKT for HAC over the last four seasons. He will wear the number 77 at ACA.

"He has great athletic qualities. He is fast, and strong in the challenge. He is a player of character with a very good aerial game. I've known Fernand for a long time, I played against him in his zone, he's the kind of player I like a lot, not easy to have on my back. Fernand is one of the best defenders in Ligue 2," said the sports coordinator of the Corsican club, Johan Cavalli, on the club's website.

>> TRANSFERS: All the summer moves

(Credit: PSG)