PSG Sign Neymar At World Record $263m

Neymar has joined Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona on a world record fee of 222m euros ($263m) and a salary of 865,000 euros per week (550,000 euros - after tax) for a five year term.

The transfer smashes the previous record Paul Pogba moved last August from Juventus to Manchester United for a 105m euros ($124.7m).

Talks started after the French club triggered his 222 million euros ($263m) release clause but things remained uncertain for several weeks until Wednesday when he told the club that he wants to leave.

La Liga then rejected the payment on grounds that French club PSG allegedly are violating Uefa's Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules but Neymar's representatives paid the fee at Barca's offices instead.

Neymar wrote on Instagram: "I have conquered everything an athlete can conquer. I have lived unforgettable moments. But a player [me] needs challenges."

The 25-year-old Brazil forward, who will be presented to fans in Parc des Princes on Saturday.

Since joining Barca in 2013, Neymar scored 68 goals in four full seasons - behind Cristiano Ronaldo (139), Messi (134), Luis Suarez (85), Antoine Griezmann (76) and Athletic Bilbao's Aritz Aduriz (70).

In that same period, he had the fifth most direct assists with 38 - again behind Messi (54), Atletico Madrid's Koke (45), Suarez (43) and Ronaldo (42).

Neymar's departure has end one of the best attacking trident in football history formed with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.

On Wednesday, Messi posted on Instagram: "It was a great pleasure to have shared all these years with you my friend Neymar. I wish you good luck in this new stage of your life." Neymar replied: "Thank you brother. I will miss you."

Previous World Record Transfers:

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