PSG Announces Free Transfer Coups: Milan Skriniar and Marco Asensio Join the Club

Paris St Germain announced on Thursday that they have acquired defender Milan Skriniar and forward Marco Asensio on free transfers. Skriniar, who hails from Slovakia, signed a five-year contract after his previous deal with Inter Milan expired in June. Having joined Inter from Sampdoria in 2017, Skriniar accumulated nearly 250 appearances in Serie A, the Coppa Italia, and the Italian Super Cup. He also boasts 60 caps for the Slovakian national team. Although PSG was linked with Skriniar in January, no agreement was reached before the transfer window closed. Last year, Inter reportedly turned down offers of over 50 million euros ($54.32 million) for the 28-year-old defender. Skriniar experienced injury setbacks during his final season in Italy, causing him to miss more than 20 games across various competitions, including the Champions League final where Inter suffered a loss against Manchester City.

Skriniar expressed his awareness of the pressure associated with joining a prestigious club like Paris St Germain, stating, "I feel it a little bit, but I feel that I am ready, ready to be part of this very big club. I like pressure. I'm a defender so we know what it's like, you always have to be ready."

Meanwhile, former Real Madrid attacker Asensio signed a three-year deal with PSG that will run until 2026. Asensio rose to prominence under the guidance of Zinedine Zidane during the 2016-17 season and notably scored in Real's 4-1 victory over Juventus in the Champions League final of that season. However, he gradually fell out of favor at the La Liga club over the past few years and predominantly served as a substitute despite making 51 appearances and scoring 12 goals across all competitions last season.

The acquisitions of Skriniar and Asensio mark PSG's first signings of the transfer window and come shortly after the appointment of Luis Enrique as the new manager, succeeding Christophe Galtier.