Silva signing integral to PSG, says president

Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser El Khelaifi said Thiago Silva will prove ‘integral’ to his project in the French capital.

The 27-year-old completed a 42-million-euro transfer from AC Milan earlier in the off-season, but had been unable to participate in the Parisians’ pre-season preparations due to his involvement at the Olympic Games in London with Brazil.

El Khelaifi said of Thiago Silva’s arrival: “We have signed up to a long-term project, and in order to complete that, we need great players.

“One of the best forwards in the world and the best defender in the world makes up the foundation of this project.

“We will also concentrate on the academy. But (Zlatan) Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva are very important in terms of image.”

Now bearing the title of the world’s most expensive defender, Thiago Silva admitted his head was turned after speaking to PSG sporting director Leonardo and head coach Carlo Ancelotti.

“After speaking with Leonardo and (Carlo) Ancelotti, I was more interested (in joining PSG), and now I am here, very happy, and I believe in this project,” he said.

“I’m happy to be at one of the biggest clubs in the world. If I wasn’t completely convinced of the quality of this team and this project I wouldn’t have come here.

“I came here to write a page in the club’s history and the only thing I want to achieve is to win titles.”

Thiago Silva spoke passionately about competing at London 2012, revealing that it was difficult to concentrate on Olympic matters at first while club negotiations were ongoing.

“The talks were not easy and I was very unsettled. I was concentrating on the Olympic Games in London,” he said.

“I had a second conversation, and today I’m delighted to be here. I want to have the same success with PSG as I did with Milan.”

He added: “I would not exchange my adventure with the Brazilian squad during the Olympics for anything in the world.

“You must take the necessary measures so that everything is fine. I could have started my season with PSG sooner, but I will finally make my debut on Sunday.

“I have settled in easily since my arrival in Paris. The impressions of the club that have been left on me have been excellent, the best possible in fact. I was well received here, by the players and the staff.”