PSG clinch Ben Arfa deal

Paris Saint-Germain have completed the signing of France international Hatem Ben Arfa on a two-year deal, the Ligue 1 champions have confirmed.

The forward was a free agent after his contract at Nice came to an end and he becomes Unai Emery’s first signing since replacing Laurent Blanc as head coach.

Ben Arfa has rebuilt his reputation since returning to France after ill-fated spells with Newcastle United and Hull City, and had been attracting reported attention from Barcelona and Sevilla.

However, he has opted for a switch to the French capital and told PSG’s official website: “Signing for Paris Saint-Germain is a moment of pride, of happiness.

“PSG have always held a special place in my heart and it is a dream come to be wearing this jersey. 

“I feel honoured that PSG are giving me the chance to fulfil this dream. I will do everything to honour the jersey and do the fans proud.   

“I would also
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like to thank Nice for helping me enjoy football again.” 

Le @psg_inside est heureux d’annoncer la signature du contrat d’Hatem Ben Arfa jusqu’au 30 juin 2018 #TheDreamHunter pic.twitter.com/0ukOIMPlNL

— PSG Officiel (@PSG_inside) July 1, 2016

Ben Arfa came through the ranks of the Lyon youth academy and also wore the jerseys of Marseille, Newcastle and Hull before joining Nice in June 2015.  

The versatile attacker played a key role in Nice’s successful 2015-16 campaign, scoring 17 goals in 34 Ligue 1 appearances to help them to fourth place in the table.

He narrowly missed out on a place in France’s Euro 2016 squad, but will be hoping to fight his way back into Didier Deschamps’ plans by impressing at PSG.

The Ligue 1 champions are also in talks with Sevilla midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak, who suggested a transfer is imminent following Poland’s Euro 2016 exit.