The Slovakian defender Milan Skriniar joined Paris St. Germain on a free transfer on Thursday after his contract with Inter Milan expired in June. Skriniar moved to Inter from Sampdoria in 2017 and played in the Italian Super Cup, Coppa Italia, and Serie A on close to 250 occasions. He has 60 caps for Slovakia as well.


The 28-year-old was linked with a move to PSG in January but the two clubs did not work out a deal before the transfer window closed. Inter had reportedly rejected bids of more than 50 million euros ($54.32 million) for Skriniar last year.


The centre-back’s final season in Italy was interrupted by injuries as he missed more than 20 games in all competitions, including the Champions League final when Inter lost to Manchester City.


“There is always pressure when you join a club like Paris St Germain. I feel it a little bit,” Skriniar told PSG’s website. “But I feel that I am ready, ready to be part of this very big club.


“I like pressure. I’m a defender so we know what it’s like, you always have to be ready.”

A day after PSG replaced Christophe Galtier as manager with Luis Enrique, the club confirmed Skriniar as its first acquisition of the transfer window.