Marco Verratti signs new Paris Saint-Germain contract until 2026

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti has signed a new contract with the French champions until 2026.

The Italy international's previous terms were due to expire at the end of the 2023-24 campaign, but he has now extended his stay at the Parc des Princes for another two seasons.

Verratti has spent over a decade in the French capital since arriving from Pescara for just €12m (£10.6m) in the summer of 2012, although he has been plagued by injuries in recent years.

Nevertheless, the 30-year-old remains an integral cog in the PSG system under Christophe Galtier, and he insisted that the choice to remain in Paris was an "obvious one".

"It gives me great pride to extend my contract with Paris Saint-Germain. I arrived in Paris more than 10 years ago, in this city that I consider my second home," Verratti told the official PSG website.

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Paris Saint-Germain are pleased to announce that Marco Verratti has extended his contract for a further two seasons. The Italian international is now contracted to the club from the capital until 30 June 2026.https://t.co/FgBw2bGkJF

— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) December 28, 2022

"I have always received a lot of support from the club and the fans since I started and I am very grateful for that. It was obvious to me that my story would continue to be written here. I hope to win many more trophies in the Rouge & Bleu shirt."

Meanwhile, president Nasser Al-Khelaifi hailed Verratti as one of the "best players of his generation" and rejoiced in the "fantastic news" of the Italian penning a two-year extension.

"We are so pleased to see Marco Verratti continue his incredible career at Paris Saint-Germain," the PSG president added.

"Marco has been such a central figure in shaping the story and success of Paris Saint-Germain over the past 10 years, while being one of the best players of his generation.

"Marco's renewal is testament to the continued growth and high ambitions of our club - and is fantastic news for Paris Saint-Germain and our fans."

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During his 10-year stay in the French capital, Verratti has come up with 11 goals and 61 assists in 399 appearances for PSG across all competitions, including seven goals and 42 assists from 262 Ligue 1 matches.

The former Pescara youngster is the most successful player ever in France's top flight with eight titles, and he has won a total of 29 honours during his time with PSG - also a club record.

As well as winning eight Ligue 1 crowns, Verratti has scooped six Coupe de France titles, six Coupe de la Ligues and nine Trophee des Champions honours, as well as becoming Euro 2020 champion with Italy last year.

PSG added four new faces to their midfield over the summer in Vitinha, Renato Sanches, Fabian Ruiz and Carlos Soler, but Verratti has remained first choice in the engine room and has one assist from 21 games in all tournaments this season.

Verratti played the full 90 minutes as PSG returned to Ligue 1 action with a 2-1 win over Strasbourg on Wednesday night, with Marquinhos and Kylian Mbappe on the scoresheet either side of Neymar's red card for two bookable offences.