Marco Verratti has joined Qatari side Al-Arabi from Paris Saint-Germain.
The Athletic previously reported that the Italy international was not in PSG’s plans this season as the club looks to move in a new direction under head coach Luis Enrique.
Verratti, who had attracted interest from Saudi Pro League’s Al Ahli, has joined Al-Arabi in a deal worth around £39million.
The 30-year-old midfielder signed a new four-year deal with PSG last December that would have seen him remain at the Parisian side until the end of the 2025-26 campaign.
However, when Enrique replaced predecessor Christophe Galtier as PSG head coach in July, the club made it clear that they intended to focus on younger talent and distance themselves from an era of glamour signings.
Verratti is the latest big name to depart PSG this summer, following the exits of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Sergio Ramos.
Verratti joined PSG in the summer of 2012 from Serie B side Pescara, the summer after Qatar Sports Investment (QSI) completed its takeover of the club. In the same summer, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva, and Ezequiel Lavezzi also signed for the Ligue 1 side.
Verratti made 416 appearances for PSG in all competitions, scoring 11 goals. He helped them win nine Ligue 1 titles, six French cups, and six French League Cups, as well as nine French Super Cups.
PSG are next in action against Nice at the Parc des Princes on Friday.
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