Paris Saint-Germain have completed the signing of Rennes starlet Désiré Doué in a deal worth $50 million ($54.9m), the French club announced on Saturday.
Doué, who has signed a contract until 2029, had been a target for several top clubs in Europe and competed for France’s under-23 team at the 2024 Olympics, with the team managed by Thierry Henry finishing as runners-up in Paris.
The 19-year-old decided to join PSG ahead of Bayern Munich and Chelsea, who were keen to recruit him. He can play as left winger, an attacking midfielder, a second striker or a No. 10.
Doué played the full season with Rennes’ first team last year, making 44 appearances in all competitions and registering four goals and four assists.
PSG began their title defence with a 4-1 win over Le Havre on Friday, scoring three times in the final five minutes in their first league game since losing Kylian Mbappé to Real Madrid on a free transfer.
Doué’s arrival was made even more timely by the injury suffered by PSG striker Gonçalo Ramos in the game. Ramos suffered a severe ligament sprain in his left ankle, and the 23-year-old Portugal international “will require surgery in the coming days,” PSG said.
Information from ESPN’s Julien Laurens and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
