Matvey Safonov joins Paris Saint-Germain on a five-year deal | OneFootball

Paris Saint-Germain is delighted to announce that 25-year-old goalkeeper Matvey Safonov has signed for the club until 2029.

Born in Stavropol, southern Russia, on 25th February 1999, Safonov learnt the ropes as a player for FK Krasnodar’s youth teams, climbing up through the club’s ranks – including its reserve team, Krasnodar-2 – before making his Premier Liga debut against Amkar Perm in June 2017. During the 2018–2019 campaign, the 1m92 keeper would feature 21 times in goal for Byki’s first team, including five times in the UEFA Europa League.

Safonov continued in this vein in 2019–2020, racking up 33 appearances across all competitions, before making his UEFA Champions League debut in a particularly tough group – which included Chelsea, Sevilla and Stade Rennais – the following season. Incidentally, he would put in a crucial display against the Bretons, helping his side to come away from Roazhon Park with a 1-1 draw.

Renowned for his leadership qualities, Safonov, who has captained his team since 2020, made 175 appearances and 53 clean sheets for his very first club. In 2023-2024, he played a large part in Krasnodar’s excellent campaign, in which they finished second in the league, just a point behind FC Zenit.

Safonov also drew the attention of his country’s youth teams from as early as 14 years old and, starting in 2014, would go on to feature in every age category from the U15s upwards. On 1st June 2021, he made his debut for Russia’s senior team in a 1-1 friendly draw with Poland, before playing in their 1-0 win over Finland and their 4-1 defeat to Denmark at UEFA EURO 2020 later that month. He currently boasts 14 international caps.

“I’m really happy to be joining Paris Saint-Germain, one of the world’s biggest clubs in terms of its history and what it has won. I can’t wait to meet my new teammates, defend my new colours and make the fans proud. Allez Paris!” Safonov said.

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