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Di Maria expected to make PSG debut in 2-3 weeks

Xinhua, August 7, 2015 Adjust font size:

Angel di Maria told media at his official presentation here on Thursday that he'd need another two to three weeks to feature in Paris Saint-Germain's No. 11 shirt after completing his move from Manchester United.

"I've had medical tests and the injury has healed," said the Argentine winger. "I haven't trained since the Copa America final with Argentina. So I spoke with Doctor Rolland, who told me it will take between two and three weeks before I'm back on the pitch."

"I hope to play soon and avoid any injuries," he added.

The 27-year-old officially signed a four-year contract with the French champions, until June 30, 2019, after having passed a medical in Doha before flying to Paris on Wednesday.

According to earlier reports, the Qatar-owned PSG agreed a fee of 63 million euros (about 44.3 million pounds) with United, who spent a British record 59.70 million pounds a year ago for signing Di Maria from La Liga's Real Madrid.

Asked about the reason he's leaving Man. Utd, the Argenine said: "It was not only my decision to go. I went because they decided to sell me."

After a disappointing season in the English Premier League with United, the Argentine, who won Champions League with Real in 2014, looked forward to recovering his best form to enable PSG's progress further in Europe.

"The club has a very important ambition: to win the Champions League. That's also my ambition," he said. "I will try and bring that little bit extra to help the team past the quarterfinals of the Champions League."

"The club has a great project, the club is growing and winning more and more titles, every year. I wanted to be a part of this project," he added.

"I'd like to thank him for choosing Paris Saint-Germain because a lot of clubs were interested in him," said PSG president Nasser Al Khelaifi at the press conference.

"We want to make our European dream come true; we want to win the Champions League. We are very close," he added. "Angel wants to help us win this trophy. He won it with Real Madrid, and I'm sure he wants to win it with us."

Di Maria, the third major summer signing for Laurent Blanc's side after German goalkeeper Kevin Trapp and former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Benjamin Stambouli, is joining compatriots Ezequiel Lavezzi and Javier Pastore at the Parc des Princes.

"I have known Pocho (Lavezzi) since 2008 and played together in the national team," said Di Maria. "He has been here in Paris for several years and spoke to me about this big club and this fantastic city, the great project. Our friendship is another reason why I signed here."

"I also spoke with Laurent Blanc. He told me that he really wanted me to sign and that he wanted to work with me. That was also a big factor in my decision," he added. Endi