Kylian Mbappé, French soccer star, to join Real Madrid next season

PSG advanced to the Champions League semifinals this season but fell to Borussia Dortmund in the semifinals, failing to score in the two-leg tie. Mbappé had announced his intention to leave PSG before the team’s Ligue 1 finale last month.

On social media, Mbappé called the move a “dream come true” and said he was “so happy and proud to join the club of my dream.”

“Nobody can understand how excited I am right now,” he continued. “Can’t wait to see you, Madridistas, and thanks for your unbelievable support.”

The post was illustrated by photos of a young Mbappé wearing a Real Madrid jacket.

Mbappé will sign a five-year deal with Real Madrid that reportedly comes with a $160 million signing bonus, paid out over the length of the contract, and will earn more than $16 million per year in salary. He will keep a percentage of his image rights as well.

During his time in Paris, Mbappé blossomed into perhaps the most dangerous goal scorer in the world and, on the international stage, helped lead France to the World Cup title in 2018 and the final in 2022, when he became only the second player to record a hat trick in the World Cup championship game. But as the goals and accolades piled up, there came a growing sense that Mbappé had accomplished all that he could in a French league that is considered second-tier, even after PSG began giving him a say in the club’s personnel decisions and allowed him nearly free rein on the pitch. Mbappé nearly left PSG for Real Madrid after the 2021-22 season but ended up signing a two-year contract extension, with a player option for a third year that he declined.

Mbappé has long desired to play for Real Madrid, going back to his childhood, and his presence will merely fortify an already potent attack that features Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior. On Saturday, Real Madrid won the Champions League for a record 15th time with a 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund.