Is Ukrainian Zabarnyi set to debut for PSG in UEFA Super Cup final?
Illia Zabarnyi left PSG for the UEFA Super Cup (photo: Getty Images)
Ukrainian defender Illia Zabarnyi has joined PSG and will travel with Luis Enrique's team to the Italian city of Udine. There, on Wednesday, August 14, the Parisians will face London's Tottenham in the UEFA Super Cup match, reports ParisSG on X (Twitter).
Will Zabarnyi play for PSG in the UEFA Super Cup final?
Despite being included in the travel squad, Zabarnyi will not be able to take the field in this match. The reasons for his absence have not been officially specified; however, according to French media, the player is not yet ready for official matches due to recent adaptation and preparation following his transfer.
However, fans will be able to see him in the Paris club's kit for the first time this Tuesday, August 12, at 7:00 PM local time. That evening, the team will hold an open training session at the Udine stadium, which will be available to journalists.
For Zabarnyi, this will be his first introduction to new teammates in a full training process.
Zabarnyi va se rendre à Udine avec le groupe de Luis Enrique même s'il ne pourra pas disputer la rencontre de Supercoupe mercredi face à Tottenham.
— ParisSG INFOS (@Paris_sginfos) August 12, 2025
Il s'entraînera donc pour la première fois avec la tunique parisienne ce mardi soir à 19h00 à Udine.
Une séance… pic.twitter.com/DHiNEAgZsw
What is known about Zabarnyi's transfer to PSG
The Ukrainian's transfer to the French giant became one of the main summer transfer events for the club, which seeks to strengthen its defense ahead of the start.
Negotiations between PSG and Bournemouth were tense and lengthy. As early as June, the English club rejected the French side’s first offer of 63 million euros because they did not want to let go of their key player.
Other top clubs, including Tottenham and Newcastle, were also interested in Zabarnyi and offered similar sums. However, the player himself clearly expressed a desire to move to Ligue 1.
This factor, along with the Parisian club's persistence, was decisive. PSG head coach Luis Enrique personally insisted on signing Zabarnyi, seeing him as an important part of his project.
According to reputable insiders such as Fabrizio Romano and French media, including L'Equipe, the transfer fee is about 67 million euros, including bonuses.
This makes Zabarnyi the most expensive Ukrainian defender in history, and one of the most expensive center-backs overall. He had previously set a record after moving from Kyiv's Dynamo to Bournemouth for 22.7 million euros in January 2023.
According to L'Equipe, Zabarnyi signed a 5-year contract with the Parisians, and his salary will be 4.5 million euros net in the first season.
