By John Essien
French Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain, have completed the £34million signing of left-back Nuno Mendes, following a successful season on loan from Sporting Lisbon.
The 19-year-old will stay at the Parc de Princes after agreeing a contract until 2026 as PSG plan for a fresh assault on the Champions League next season.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side were eliminated from last season’s Champions League after they lost to eventual winners Real Madrid in the last-16 despite leading 2-0 on aggregate with just 30 minutes of the tie remaining.
Despite failing to win the Champions League title, the Portuguese youngster played 37 times for PSG during an impressive loan spell forcing the French champions to activate their option to sign him.
He was nominated for the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year award, losing out to William Saliba of Marseille, and was picked at left-back in the team of the season.
Winning the league title in France added to his medal collection having guided Sporting to a Primeira Liga and League Cup double in the 2020-21 campaign.
Mendes has made 13 appearances at senior level for Portugal and was part of the team that helped them qualify for the World Cup in Qatar later this year by defeating North Macedonia in a play-off.