Kvaratskhelia: The New Face in Paris
The Paris transfer scene just got a serious shake-up. Paris Saint-Germain have locked down Khvicha Kvaratskhelia—a 23-year-old winger who set Serie A on fire with Napoli—on a deal running all the way to 2029. Not only is he the first Georgian footballer to pull on a PSG shirt, but he’s also been handed their number 7 jersey, a badge of serious trust at one of Europe’s most ambitious clubs.
Born and raised in Tbilisi, Kvaratskhelia’s journey to one of football’s biggest stages didn’t happen overnight. He started early at Dinamo Tbilisi, joining their youth set-up at age 11. By September 2017, he was running the show in Georgia’s top flight, making his pro debut and instantly proving his worth with an assist in his first appearance. Even in those early years, it was clear there was something special brewing.
His career quickly picked up speed. After impressing at home, he went on loan to Lokomotiv Moscow in 2019—a stint that gave him a taste of Russian football’s physical demands. But things really took off when he moved to Rubin Kazan later that same year. Over 73 matches, he couldn’t stay out of the action, bagging 9 goals and serving up 18 assists. Russian football fans knew his name, but Europe as a whole was about to wake up to his talent.
Then came a short, electric spell back in Georgia with Dinamo Batumi. You don’t see too many players notch up 8 goals in just 11 games. Every touch, every move—he was making it clear he’d outgrown the local league. So when Napoli snapped him up, they were buying a player at the perfect point in his upward curve.
In Naples, Kvaratskhelia exploded onto the big stage. He was a driving force as Napoli claimed their first Serie A title in over three decades. His dribbling, creativity, and relentless running didn’t just win matches; they got fans on their feet and defenders out of ideas. That kind of spark is exactly what PSG need as they look to make their mark in the Champions League and beyond.
The terms of the deal are under wraps, but there’s no doubt PSG paid handsomely to land him as part of their post-Mbappé rebuild. Kvaratskhelia comes in at a time when the club needs a new attacking focal point. Manager Luis Enrique, known for his demanding style and tactical flexibility, is expected to slot the Georgian straight into his PSG transfers wishlist. Expect to see Kvaratskhelia on the left flank in Luis Enrique’s 4-3-3 setup, battling for his spot but bringing a new dimension to the team’s frontline.
What This Means for PSG’s Ambitions
This move goes beyond signing another talented winger. It’s a signal, loud and clear, that PSG aren’t content with domestic dominance—they want to be the last men standing in Europe. With Kvaratskhelia’s track record of adapting fast and delivering in key moments, there’s a buzz around what could be possible next season at Parc des Princes.
PSG fans know the number 7 isn’t just any shirt—it’s a legacy number. Previous owners brought magic to the pitch. Now it’s on Kvaratskhelia to light up Paris with his trademark mix of direct running and technical flair. The Champions League will be a different beast, but if he continues his rapid rise, there’s every chance his name could be sung on the biggest European nights.
For Georgia, this is history: their first representative at Paris Saint-Germain, breaking new ground and carrying the hopes of a nation that’s watched his journey from Tbilisi’s parks to football’s biggest stages. For PSG, it may just be the beginning of a new era in attack—and one that could change the course of the club’s story.