Ibramhovic confirms PSG departure

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) were dealt a big blow as talismanic striker Zlatan Ibramhovic confirmed on Friday he will be quitting the French Ligue 1 giants after the football season.

The Sweden captain, who will play his final home game against Nantes on Saturday, has scored 152 goals in 178 games since joining the club in the summer of 2012 from AC Milan.

He has helped PSSG capture the Ligue 1 title in all the four seasons. Ibrahimovic finished as top scorer in France in 2012-13 and 2013-14, and leads Lyon's Alexandre Lacazette by 15 goals this season.

"My last game tomorrow at Parc des Princes. I came like a king, left like a legend," Ibramhovic posted on twitter.

The 34-year-old's contract with the French champions expires in the summer, and he has been linked with Manchester United, Los Angeles Galaxy and AC Milan.

"I am very proud of the last four years. I loved every day I spent here. The Paris Saint-Germain has become a star club in the world and I played a key role moving it forward," Ibramhovic said.

"It is now the right time for me to take a different path. I would like to thank my team mates, the technical staff and all the people in the club. My heart is with the fans."

An agreement is in place for Ibrahimovic to return to the club at the end of his playing career, with PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi saying he is "looking forward to the prospect of working with him again".

PSG said Ibrahimovic leaves as "the greatest striker and one of the very best players in the club's history".

"Paris Saint-Germain is forever deeply grateful to Zlatan for his amazing four years that made him the greatest striker and one of the very best player in the Club's history.

"Ibra will have widely contributed to transform Paris Saint-Germain in one of the biggest clubs in Europe," the club wrote on its website.

Ibrahimovic has an impressive CV as he featured in some of the best clubs in Europe. Having started his career at Swedish club Malmo, he went on to play for Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Milan and PSG.

He has also been a prolific scorer for his country with 62 goals in 112 matches.

--IANS

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