Marco Verratti Signs New 5-Year Contract with PSG

Marco Verratti has signed a five-year contract extension at Paris Saint-Germain, tying his loyalties to the club until 2019.    

ESPN FC's Jonathan Johnson confirmed on Monday afternoon that the Italian international has put pen to paper on the new deal, eradicating all talk of a potential departure from the French capital:

Johnson also provides quotes from the player and PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi:

Since arriving at the Parc des Princes from Pescara two years ago, Verratti has gone from strength to strength both on the club scene and in his international line-up.

Growing as a more prominent member of PSG's star-studded line-up, the 21-year-old has come to be revered as one of Europe's brightest assets. WhoScored.com and OptaJean provide some context to that billing:

Verratti's previous deal wasn't in any jeopardy, set to run out in 2018, but it shows just how highly PSG rate their starlet in giving him renewed terms this early on, dissuading any notion of an exit.

The youngster has picked up where he left off last season, too, helping the reigning Ligue 1 champions to an unbeaten league campaign thus far, albeit including three draws perhaps considered slightly disappointing for Laurent Blanc.

Michel Euler/Associated Press

With the new deal in hand, Verratti can perhaps do away with any distractions that may have been blurring his vision in recent weeks and months, allowed to simply do what he does best and get on with the football at hand.

Blanc will be as pleased as any to see his playmaker sign on the dotted line, with the promise that it will be PSG who benefit from his immense talent for at least the next five years to come.