Germany and VfL Wolfsburg midfielder Julian Draxler has joined Paris St Germain on a four-and-a-half year contract, the French 1 champions said on Tuesday.
The 23-year-old, who started his professional career at Schalke 04 in 2011, was part of the victorious Germany squad at the 2014 World Cup.
“For the first time in my career I will discover a new country, a new league and I am very proud to take this step in one of the best clubs in Europe,” Draxler said in a club statement.
French media reported he is joining for a transfer fee of 36 million euros (37 million dollars).
Draxler, who has been hailed as one of the best attacking midfielder of his generation but has proved inconsistent over the years, could make his PSG debut against Bastia in a French Cup last-64 game on Saturday.
He will be in competition for a spot in the starting line-up with France international Hatem Ben Arfa, Brazil winger Lucas as well as new Argentine signing Giovani Lo Celso, who effectively joined from Rosario during the winter break.
PSG have had a difficult start to the season, finishing second behind Arsenal in the Champions League group stage and sitting third in the Ligue 1 standings, five points behind pacesetters Nice midway through the season.
West Brom will spend wisely
West Bromwich Albion will not pay over the odds to strengthen their squad in the January transfer window, manager Tony Pulis has said.
Manchester United have rejected West Brom’s 18 million pounds ($22.12 million) offer to buy midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin and Pulis has insisted that his club will only look to add to the squad within a tight budget.
“We have to try and maintain this and also bring a couple of players in. We’re working hard behind the scenes to bring a couple of players in,” Pulis told reporters after West Brom defeated Hull City 3-1 on Monday.
“I’ve been here nearly two years and the club has improved, but it has been slow. That’s what happens at clubs like this.
“We’re not going to throw a load of money away and do something stupid which puts the club at risk - we’re going to do it within the budget.”
After consecutive league wins against Southampton and Hull, the West Midlands club will host Derby County in the FA Cup third-round clash on Saturday before visiting Tottenham Hotspur on Jan. 14.
Hamburg release Spahic
Former Bosnia captain Emir Spahic, one of the most experienced defenders in the Bundesliga, was surprisingly released by struggling Bundesliga side Hamburg SV on Tuesday.
The 36-year-old’s departure after one-and-a-half seasons at the club was announced hours after the squad began training for the second half of the season.
“Over the last few weeks, we have begun a process of changes within the squad,” said coach Markus Gisdol on the club’s website.
“Among other things, this process means that we will plan without Emir Spahic for the future and it is therefore in everyone’s best interests if the club and the player go their own ways.”
* Reuters
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