PSG Secures Transfer of Defender Illia Zabarnyi from Bournemouth
In a significant move for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Ukrainian defender Ilia Zabarnyi has joined the Champions League winners on a five-year contract. The 28-year-old, who has been a cornerstone of Bournemouth's defence for the past two and a half seasons, is set to bring his formidable skills to the French capital.
Zabarnyi, who joined Bournemouth from Dynamo Kyiv in January 2023, has been a key player for the Premier League club. He played 37 of 38 league games in the 2023-24 season and 36 matches in the following 2024-25 season, contributing to Bournemouth's historic 9th-place finish.
During his tenure at Bournemouth, Zabarnyi made 331 clearances, 137 more than the next-best player, Huijsen, with 194. He also played (3,702) and completed (3,057) the most passes for Bournemouth, demonstrating his prowess in both defence and distribution.
Zabarnyi was also involved in 16 clean sheets in the top flight for Bournemouth, a testament to his defensive prowess. His contributions earned him the title of Bournemouth's Player of the Season by supporters in 2023-24.
With Zabarnyi's departure, Bafode Diakite is expected to replace him at Lille.
PSG views Zabarnyi as a vital investment in their renewed transfer strategy focusing on standout young talents. The club expects him to become a future leader in PSG’s backline, challenging established defenders such as Marquinhos and Willian Pacho for a starting center-back role. Zabarnyi is anticipated to serve as Marquinhos’ direct understudy given the veteran’s signs of decline.
PSG aims to integrate Zabarnyi into their defence to help maintain and build on their recent success, including their first-ever Champions League title. They believe his strong defensive abilities and ball-carrying on the right side of defence will be valuable assets.
Despite their recent success, PSG suffered a setback in their Club World Cup final match, losing to Chelsea. With the addition of Zabarnyi, they will be looking to bounce back and continue their winning streak.
[1] Bournemouth Official Website [2] The Guardian [3] Sky Sports [4] ESPN FC [5] Premier League Statistics
- Zabarnyi's impressive defensive skills and distributive prowess, honed during his tenure in the Premier League with Bournemouth, make him a promising addition to PSG's European-leagues pursuit, particularly in the Premier League-winning style of play.
- As PSG's new central defender, Zabarnyi aims to contribute to the team's sports diversity, bolstering the club's defense alongside established players like Marquinhos and Willian Pacho, while competing for a starting role and learning from the veteran's experience.
- With Zabarnyi coming from a successful stint in European football and the Premier League, his arrival at PSG promises to strengthen the club's overall lifestyle and competitiveness in both domestic and Champions League football – as they aim to recover from the Club World Cup final loss and continue their winning streak.
