The European champions, Paris Saint-Germain, have strengthened their roster ahead of the upcoming season with the acquisition of Belgium winger Mika Godts from Ajax.
PSG announced the deal on Saturday, with Godts signing a five-year contract in Paris. The 21-year-old’s transfer fee is reported to be as much as €55 million ($63.6 million), including performance-related bonuses, according to Ajax.
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“It’s an incredible honor to be joining one of the best clubs in the world,” Godts expressed in PSG’s announcement. “I can’t wait to wear this jersey and feel the energy of the Parc des Princes and its fans.”
“I will do my utmost on the field to justify the trust shown in me by President Nasser Al-Khelaifi, Luis Campos, and coach Luis Enrique.”
In his breakout season in the Dutch Eredivisie, Godts scored 17 goals and provided 13 assists. He made his national team debut for Belgium in a friendly against the United States in March but was surprisingly left out of their World Cup roster this summer.
Ajax’s technical director, Jordi Cruyff, commented, “Mika is an exceptional talent with specific skills, and we will greatly miss him. It was our preference to keep him for at least another season, but top clubs inevitably come in for players who perform at Ajax at such a high level.”
Godts’s arrival at PSG coincided with the club announcing the signing of Spanish World Cup star Ferran Torres from Barcelona for a total package valued at approximately €50 million ($57.8 million).
Godts joins PSG amid ongoing speculation regarding the future of fellow winger Bradley Barcola.
ESPN reports that Barcola is a primary target for Liverpool as they seek a wide forward this summer, and initial discussions have taken place with his representatives.
Barcola is reportedly interested in making a move to Anfield, but while talks are in progress between Liverpool and PSG, discrepancies remain in their valuations of the player.
As a current France international, whose contract extends until 2028, Barcola is estimated to be valued around €150 million ($173.5 million).