WASHINGTON, July 19, 2013 - Swedish star Zlatan Ibrahimovic could make his team debut for his new club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), when the high-flying and big-spending French club plays D.C. United in a friendly at RFK Stadium on Saturday, July 28, at 7: 30 p.m.
The French Ligue 1 team signed Ibrahimovic this week from AC Milan for an estimated $28 million, the biggest transfer in the club’s history. The Qatari-owned club has spent over $137 million on players this summer raising its profile to a super-club on the world stage.
News reports say that Ibrahimovic, 30, will fly out to join PSG when the team plays Chelsea at Yankee Stadium in New York on Sunday, but will not play in that game.
Ibrahimovic, who has also played for Malmo, Ajax, Juventus, Barcelona and and Inter, was the top scorer in Serie A last season with 28 goals at Milan, a feat he also accomplished with Inter. He was one of the big stars at Euro 2012 where he scored some stunning goals for Sweden and caused all sorts of problems for the English and the French.
“PSG is becoming one of the most exciting and news-making clubs in all of European soccer,” said D.C. United president Kevin Payne.
PSG finished in second-place in the French Ligue 1 this season with a 23-5-10 record and qualified for the Champions League group stage. PSG’s manager, Carlo Ancelotti, was appointed on December 30, 2011, and has previously managed Chelsea FC, A.C. Milan, and Juventus.
Other noted players are on the team are Javier Pastore, Nene, Thiago Motta, and Diego Lugano. Pastore, a 23-year-old Argentine attacking-midfielder, has scored 13 goals in 33 appearances for PSG, while Nene has scored 49 goals in 93 appearances. Motta played for FC Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, Genoa, and Inter Milan before moving to PSG in 2011. The 29-year-old appeared in all three of Italy’s group-stage matches at Euro 2012. Lugano, who captained Uruguay to fourth place at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, anchors the club’s defense.
For fans wanting to buy tickets for the game read below D.C. United’s policy issued in a press release.
To avoid ticketing confusion please note the following scenarios:
D.C. United Season Ticket Holders possessing Special Game 1 tickets remain set. There is no need to exchange tickets and refunds against these passes are not available. Season Ticket Holders may also purchase additional priority tickets by calling D.C. United customer service.
Patrons holding paid tickets to D.C. United vs. Juventus, originally scheduled for July 28, do not need to exchange, as those tickets will also provide entry to the PSG match. However, exchange of these tickets for reprinted ones with proper opponent, date and time are available via the outlet of original purchase. Refunds for these tickets are also available at the outlet of original purchase.
Group (15+) & advance sale prices
Endline - $30
Sideline - $38
Midfield - $46
Mezzanine - $58
Club - $75
Day of match prices
Endline - $35
Sideline - $45
Midfield - $55
Mezzanine - $65
Club - $85
To purchase tickets, please visit dcunited.com or call at 202-587-5000.
* For over 20 years John Haydon wrote a weekly soccer column for The Washington Times. He has covered two World Cups and written about Major League Soccer from the league’s inception in 1996.
Follow John on Twitter at @Johnahaydon
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