Paris – Paris St Germain further strengthened their midfield by swooping for Newcastle United's French international Yohan Cabaye on Wednesday.
Cabaye, who has won 26 caps, has signed for three and a half, the French champions said in a statement.
No fee was disclosed but media reports suggested it could be up to €25 million, including adds-on.
“The transfer of Yohan Cabaye is further proof of the club's capacity to attract the best French and foreign players,” PSG chairman Nasser al Khelaifi said.
The 28-year-old joined Newcastle from Lille in 2011 and scored 18 goals in 93 appearances for the Premier League club.
“I was won over by the ambitious project ... and I can't wait to join this exceptional squad,” Cabaye said.
He made his France debut in 2010 under Laurent Blanc who now coaches PSG.
Cabaye was instrumental in the 3-0 home playoff victory over Ukraine in November that earned Les Bleus a place at this year's World Cup in Brazil.
He is the latest addition to a strong PSG midfield that features Italy pair Marco Verratti and Thiago Motta and France international Blaise Matuidi.
The French champions had limited choices to strengthen their midfield as they were looking for a player who could play in the Champions League. PSG face Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16 next month.
“We chose Cabaye for three reasons,” club president Nasser al-Khelaifi told L'Equipe in an interview published on Wednesday.
“1. He's a very good player 2. I have never met him but I've been told he is a nice chap. 3. He is French and it is very important for us to recruit French players, to bring them back to the French league.”
Cabaye is likely to make his debut next week when PSG travel to Nantes in a League Cup semi-final on Tuesday. – Reuters