PARIS, July 21 (Reuters) - French midfielder Claude Makelele
promised to give his best to Paris St Germain after joining the
Ligue 1 side on a free transfer from Chelsea on Monday.
'It's a very important challenge for me,' Makelele told a news
conference after signing his contract. 'I'll try to bring my
experience. I'll give my very best, as I have done everywhere
else.'
No details of the deal were revealed but French media reported
the 35-year-old former international, who joined Chelsea in 2003
from Real Madrid, planned to play for two more years before taking
on a non-playing role at the club.
Considered one of the world's finest holding midfielders, the
Kinshasa-born Makelele, who grew up outside Paris, becomes PSG's
second major signing in a few days after compatriot Ludovic Giuly,
signed from AS Roma on Friday. 'I wanted to come to Paris so badly
that Chelsea accepted to let me go,' said Makelele, who announced
his international retirement after France's group stage exit from
Euro 2008.
'Claude was our priority,' said PSG president Charles
Villeneuve. 'He's been a valued player for both Chelsea and
France.' PSG, who have won two French titles and lifted the French
Cup seven times, struggled to avoid relegation last season.
'I hope we'll have a good season, better than the last one,'
said Makelele, who won two Premier League titles and lifted the FA
Cup during his tenure at Chelsea. 'It's a personal record that
stands alongside any in our history,' Chelsea said in a tribute to
Makelele posted on the club's website.
'His five years at Stamford Bridge have been five years in which
the club has advanced spectacularly with the eyes of the world
looking on... No Chelsea follower ever forgets to celebrate Maka's
part in the club's most glorious years.'