Semak seals PSG move
Monday, January 24, 2005
Article summary
Paris Saint-Germain FC have signed Russian international midfield player Sergei Semak from PFC CSKA Moskva.
Article body
Two-year contract
If the move is agreeable to all parties, Semak will put pen to paper on a two-year contract at the end of the season. "I chose PSG because they are a well supported club in France and are always bidding to be in contention at the top of the table," the 28-year-old said.
Ironic twist
Ironically, the transfer takes Semak to the club he helped remove from UEFA Champions League contention with a hat-trick at the Parc des Princes on Matchday 6. The 3-1 victory put the Moscow side into the UEFA Cup, while PSG finished bottom of Group H. However, PSG captain José Pierre-Fanfan insisted: "He's welcome here. We're not angry with him at all."
Cup medal
The Ukrainian-born Semak played for FC Asmaral Moskva before joining CSKA, initially as part of his military service and then permanently in 1994. He opened the scoring in the 2000 Russian Cup final against FC Lokomotiv Moskva, and although CSKA lost that game, they proved too strong for FC Zenit St. Peterburg two years later, a result that gave Semak a first winners' medal.
Ninth place
PSG, Ligue 1 runners-up and French Cup winners in 2003/04, targeted a European place this season but currently lie ninth in the table after 22 matches. "That can change fast," the new man predicted.
