Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has strengthened its defence by signing Ukraine centre-back Illia Zabarnyi from English club Bournemouth on Tuesday.

The 22-year-old defender has joined the European champions on a five-year contract for a reported fee of 63 million euros (around 76 million US dollars).

Zabarnyi spent two and a half years at Bournemouth, a club that has seen several key defenders leave this offseason. Bournemouth sold centre-back Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid and left-back Milos Kerkez to Liverpool, earning around 172 million euros (approximately 150 million pounds) from these transfers.

At PSG, Zabarnyi will compete for a starting spot alongside captain Marquinhos and Willian Pacho in central defence.

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“I am very happy to join Paris Saint-Germain,” Zabarnyi said. “I am here to give everything I have on the pitch and I’m looking forward to making my debut and meeting the fans.”

PSG will face Tottenham Hotspur, the reigning Europa League champions, in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday, before starting their Ligue 1 title defence against Nantes on Sunday.

Zabarnyi, who has earned 49 caps for the Ukraine national team and previously played for Dynamo Kyiv, could provide direct competition to veteran Marquinhos.

This signing is PSG’s second major addition of the summer transfer window following goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier’s arrival from Lille for a reported fee just over 40 million euros. Meanwhile, first-choice goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma is reportedly set to leave despite an impressive season.

Russian goalkeeper Matvei Safonov remains among PSG’s backup options.