PSG 2022-23 begins, little by little, to complete its particular puzzle. The departures chapter is still stuck… but it has already closed two signings. Upon arrival from Vitinha (Porto/40 million) that of Hugo Ekitike (Reims, 29-6-2002) has been added.
The young striker, an under-20 international with ‘Les Bleus’, lands in the Parque de los Pncipes on loan with an option to buy… mandatory. That, at least, they assure from France. El Stade Reims, in the event of the transfer, receive 36 kilos.
Ekitike, for his part, will sign until 2027. The latest signing of Lus Campos comes backed by the great season he had in last Ligue 1: He played 23 games, scored 10 goals and distributed three assists.
“I have chosen with my heart. I am French and PSG is the team from my land. I feel a bit of everything, but above all, joy and pride. In my opinion, it is a logical choice. All the ingredients are given for it to progress”says Ekitike, also wanted by Newcastle.
In my opinion, it is a logical choice. All the ingredients are given for him to progress at PSG
The Reims youth squad does not seem intimidated by the challenge of competing for a position with Mbapp, Neymar, Messi… “I’ve always had confidence in my game. I don’t doubt what I’m capable of and I’m looking forward to showing it. Also, I like the pressure. It helps me bring out the best in me.”
I have always had confidence in my game. I don’t doubt what I’m capable of and I’m looking forward to showing it
An unorthodox path
Ekitike’s career until signing for Paris Saint-Germain is, to say the least, unique. Debut in Ligue 1 in 2020, at the age of 18, under the guidance of David Guion. In 2020-21, however, he went out on loan to Vejle dans.
I returned to Reims last summer andled by scar Garca Junyent, exploded to become one of the great revelations of ‘The Championship’.
The Spanish coach, in fact, was one of the first to point out the football resemblance between Ekitike and former Sevilla player Frdric Kanout on Radio MARK.
“We got him back and, in principle, he had to be the fourth striker, but from the first preseason game it was seen that he could be differential. The comparison with Kanout is very accurate because he is not a player who likes to act as a pure ‘9’, but prefers to be mobile. He’s tall, slim, coordinated, plays well with his feet…Despite how big he is [mide 1,90 metros]the header is not his strong point”, assures scar García.
The comparison with Kanout is very accurate because he is not a player who likes to act as a pure ‘9’, but prefers to have mobility
Ekitike himself reinforces the definition of his former coach: “I really like nice gestures. My goal is for people to have fun. LThe statistical part is very important, but I like the aesthetics in football”.
The statistical part is very important, but I like the aesthetics in football
Scar García, in a recent interview in MARCA, already saw him ready to make the leap to a great: “By level, I’m sure he does, but he has to go little by little because he’s still very young. If he continues with this evolution, I am sure that soon he could be a starter in many teams. Is different”.
If he continues with this evolution, I am sure that soon he could be a starter in many teams. Is different
