Serie A title contenders Napoli have broken their transfer record.
Napoli have confirmed the signing of Mexican winger Hirving Lozano in a deal worth a reported €40 million from PSV Eindhoven.
Napoli have pursued the 24-year-old for weeks after missing out on their number one target Nicolas Pepe, who eventually joined Arsenal in a mammoth €80 million deal. The club’s previous transfer record holder was Gonzalo Higuain, whom they forked out €39 million for in 2013 from Real Madrid, before his shock €90 million switch to domestic rivals Juventus three years later.
“I leave PSV as a happy and proud man,” Lozano told the Napoli official website. “I want to thank all the fans for their tremendous support the past few years. Winning the Dutch title was one of the highlights in my career so far and my dream of ever playing UEFA Champions League has come true. I had a great time in Eindhoven.
“My family and I have always felt very much at home. Thank you everybody from the bottom of my heart!”
He leaves Eindhoven having contributed 40 goals and 23 assists in 79 appearances and signed a five-year deal with his new club worth around €4.5 million per year, as the Partenopei have reportedly added a release clause to the contract which would stand at around €130 million.
Lozano has already started the season with PSV, though he picked up a knock against ADO Den Haag in his most recent Eredivisie outing that may yet rule him out of Napoli’s Serie A opener against Fiorentina tomorrow. He joins Carlo Ancelotti’s side with Napoli having looked to bolster their attack over the summer in a bid to close the gap to champions Juventus having finished 11 points adrift in second last term.
Lozano likely will slot into what could be a fearsome attacking trident with the 24-year-old on one side, captain Lorenzo Insigne on the other and Arkadiusz Milik up top. Veteran attacker Dries Mertens also remains in the ranks for the Partenopei.
SEE ALSO:
- PSV’s Hirving Lozano to sign for Napoli
- Ancelotti says Allan will not leave Napoli for PSG
- Napoli Player Salaries 2018/19 (Weekly Wages & Per Year)
