PSG have unveiled Keylor Navas’ successor: Matvei Safonov moves to the French capital from Krasnodar
What had been hinted at for some time is now official: Paris St. Germain have signed goalkeeper Matvei Safonov from Russian first division club FK Krasnodar. “I’m delighted to be joining Paris Saint-Germain, one of the biggest clubs in the world in terms of history and success. I can’t wait to meet my new teammates and defend my new colors,” said the new signing.
The 25-year-old succeeds Keylor Navas, whose contract expires at the end of the month. Whether Safonov will also take on the role of the veteran is questionable. According to media reports, the French double winners are paying around 20 million euros, including bonuses, for the new signing – a record fee for a PSG goalkeeper. Accordingly, he will certainly not come in as a regular number two, but will challenge regular keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma
Weaknesses when playing with the ball
The Parisians can look forward to a goalkeeper whose strengths include controlling the penalty area. His weakness, however, is playing with the ball, just like Donnarumma.
Safonov stood between the posts as a youth player at Krasnodar and made his debut for the first team in 2017. Three years later, he took over the captaincy at his training club. The goalkeeper, who signed a contract in the French capital until 2029, leaves Kransodar after 175 appearances (53 without conceding a goal) for the first team.
