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PSG decides not to renew contract with Ibrahimovic

Xinhua, May 13, 2016 Adjust font size:

Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain announced Friday to let go Zlatan Ibrahimovic when their contract expires in 48 days, but to keep a management vacancy for the Swede.

"Following discussions between Paris Saint-Germain and Zlatan Ibrahimovic's agent, the c;ub and its player have decided mutually not to renew the contract that links both parties until June 30, 2016," read a PSG statement.

"They agreed as well that once the player ends his active football career he would be back in the club in a managerial capacity," it added.

Ibrahimovic, 34, joined Les Parisiens four years ago from Serie A giants AC Milan and has won four top flight league titles in a row with the capital outfit.

The leading scorer of this season's Ligue 1, with 36 goals so far, will play his final Ligue 1 game on Saturday when PSG host Nantes, before their French Cup final against Marseille at the Stade de France next weekend.

If PSG won the Cup final on May 21, Ibrahimovic, named France's Player of the Year last Sunday for a record third time, will lift his 12th trophies with the club.

"My last game tomorrow at Parc des Pinces. It is not a farewell but only an AU REVOIR. I came like a king I leave like a legend but I will be back," the former Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona and AC Milan star, who scored 152 goals in 178 official games for PSG, wrote on his twitter account.

"I am very proud of the last four years," said the Swede in a press release by the club. "I loved every day I spent here. The Paris Saint-Germain has become a STAR club in the world and I played a key role moving it forward. It is now the right time for me to take a different path."

The club confirmed him "the greatest striker and one of the very best player in the club's history", saying in the statement that Ibra have "widely contributed to transform Paris Saint-Germain in one of the biggest clubs in Europe".

"Ibra is truly a great man on and off the pitch," PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi told the club's website. "With his incredible talent and charisma, he has conquered the heart of the people of Paris and far beyond."

"I am extremely proud of having welcomed Ibra in Paris and I'm now looking forward to the prospect of working with him again at the club when he finishes his career. He will always be home at Paris Saint-Germain," added the Qatari. Endit