Paris Saint-Germain sign Kylian Mbappé in mega deal

French teen sensation Kylian Mbappé joined Paris Saint-Germain from Monaco on a season-long loan Thursday in a deal that will make him the second most expensive footballer in history.

"Paris Saint-Germain is delighted to announce the immediate arrival of Kylian Mbappé," the club wrote on its website, just hours before the close of a record-breaking transfer window.

"The loan agreement also includes an option to buy which, when exercised, will bind the player to Paris Saint-Germain until June 30, 2022."

Kylian Mbappe

According to media reports, the overall transfer fee could rise to 180 million euros ($215 million) including add-ons, which would make Mbappé, 18, second only to new team-mate Neymar on the all-time list of costliest transfers.

"It is with great joy and pride that I join Paris Saint-Germain," said Mbappé.

"For any young person from the Paris region, it is often a dream to wear the red and blue jersey and experience the unique atmosphere of the Parc des Princes."

"I really wanted to be a part of the club’s project, which is one of the most ambitious in Europe."

"Alongside my new team-mates, I intend to continue my progression while helping the team achieve the very big objectives it has set itself."

Mbappé burst onto the scene in the second half of last season and scored 15 goals in 29 appearances in Monaco’s run to the French title. He netted 26 times in 44 matches in all competitions.

Brought up in the northern suburbs of Paris, Mbappé was compared to a young Thierry Henry as he first broke into the Monaco side in December 2015, just before his 17th birthday.

He celebrated his PSG move by scoring his first goal for France in Thursday’s 4-0 rout of the Netherlands in their 2018 World Cup qualifier after coming on as a second-half substitute at Stade de France.

Top 10 global transfers

1. 222m euros ($264m, £200m) - Neymar (BRA). Barcelona (ESP) to Paris Saint-Germain (FRA), 2017

2. 180m euros (initially on loan with an option to buy) - Kylian Mbappe (FRA). Monaco (FRA) to Paris Saint-Germain (FRA), 2017

3. 105m euros (rising to 147m euros) - Ousmane Dembele (FRA). Borussia Dortmund (GER) to Barcelona (ESP), 2017

4. 105m euros - Paul Pogba (FRA). Juventus (ITA) to Manchester United (ENG), 2016

5. 100.8m euros - Gareth Bale (WAL). Tottenham Hotspur (ENG) to Real Madrid (ESP), 2013

6. 94m euros - Cristiano Ronaldo (POR). Manchester United (ENG) to Real Madrid (ESP), 2009

7. 90m euros - Gonzalo Higuain (ARG). Napoli (ITA) to Juventus (ITA), 2016

8. 88.2m euros - Neymar (BRA). Santos (BRA) to Barcelona (ESP), 2013

9. 85m euros - Romelu Lukaku (BEL). Everton (ENG) to Manchester United (ENG), 2017

10. 82.3m euros - Luis Suarez (URU). Liverpool (ENG) to Barcelona (ESP), 2014

(AFP)