image source, Getty Images
French striker Kylian Mbappe announced that he will leave Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the current season.
Mbappe, 25, announced the decision in a video clip that he posted on his social media accounts.
“I have always said that I will talk to you when the time comes,” Mbappe said.
“It is my last year at Paris Saint-Germain. I will not renew my contract and the adventure will end in a few weeks.”
Mbappe’s contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires in June, and BBC Sport reported in February that he had agreed a deal to join Real Madrid in the summer.
Mbappe, a World Cup winner, is PSG’s all-time top scorer with 255 goals and will play his final home match at the Parc des Princes against Toulouse in the French League on Sunday at 20:00 GMT.
PSG will then play away matches in Nice (15 May) and Metz (19 May) before the French Cup final against Lyon at Stade Pierre Mauroy in Lille on 25 May.
Paris-born Mbappe, who joined Paris Saint-Germain from Monaco for £165.7m in August 2017, said the club had helped with his “maturity as a player” and “maturity as a man as well”.
He added: “It’s a lot of emotions, many years in which I had the opportunity and the great honor to be a member of the biggest French club, one of the best clubs in the world.”
“It allowed me to get here, have my first experience at a club with a lot of pressure, and develop as a player of course, by being alongside some of the best players in history, and some of the greatest champions.”
“It’s difficult and I never thought it would be difficult to announce this. But I think I need this, a new challenge, after seven years.”
How did we get here?
Mbappe was set to leave Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer at the end of the 2021-22 season, but eventually signed a two-year contract extension, with the option to extend for a further year.
After Mbappe told PSG he would not agree to an additional 12 months on the deal, he was not selected for their pre-season tour of Japan last July.
He then refused to meet representatives of Al Hilal Saudi Club, which presented him with a record offer of 259 million pounds sterling.
He later returned to first-team coaching after what PSG described as “very constructive and positive” talks.
Mbappé met with Paris Saint-Germain president, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, on February 13 and told him that he would leave and join Real Madrid.
Mbappe was expected to make an announcement regarding his future when Paris Saint-Germain could no longer meet Real Madrid in the Champions League this season.
Paris Saint-Germain were beaten 2-0 on aggregate by Borussia Dortmund in the semi-finals earlier this week, with Mbappe unable to make an impact in the two legs.
Mbappé admitted in his video message that he was “not a player who is good at showing his emotions” and that he “did not always live up to the level of love” that Paris Saint-Germain fans gave him.
“Paris Saint-Germain is a club that never leaves anyone indifferent. We can love it or hate it, and I chose to love it and I did that for seven years,” Mbappe said.
He added, “I do not regret at any moment signing with this prestigious club. It is a club that I will keep in my memory for the rest of my life.”
How will Mbappe adapt to Real Madrid?
BBC Sport has learned that Mbappe is set to sign a five-year contract with Real Madrid.
He is set to earn £12.8m (€15m) per season, plus a £128m (€150m) sign-on bonus to be paid over five years.
He will retain a percentage of his image rights.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, who led the Spanish club to the Champions League final this season at Wembley Stadium, has already thought about how to use Mbappe in his team.
England midfielder Jude Bellingham plays in a deeper role, Brazilian Vinicius Junior plays on the left and Mbappé plays on the left of centre.
If Croatian midfielder Luka Modric leaves this summer, Mbappe will inherit the number 10 shirt he wears with the France national team.
Mbappe said that Paris Saint-Germain, which he is set to leave behind, is “in good hands.”
He added: “Despite everything that can happen outside, there are some true fans of the club who want to protect it and make it shine and be great.”
“I will not be a player anymore, but I will watch every match. I tried to give the best version of myself during those seven years.”