Désiré Doué: 'Playing for PSG is a dream come true'

Welcome to your new family, Désiré! We imagine that it's a big step for you to leave your youth club, Stade Rennais. How do you feel today?

"It's a great moment of joy to be able to join this club. For a young player like me, it's definitely exciting, but above all, it brings a lot of happiness. There's a lot of pride as well. And I'm very happy. I'm ready to take on this challenge, of course. I'm a big lover of football, and big projects like this are what have made me passionate since I was little. I've always had this dream of playing in the biggest competitions, of playing for the biggest clubs, and today, being able to play for Paris Saint-Germain is a dream come true. I'm French, so joining the club from the capital is wonderful."

What convinced you about the Club's project?

"Paris Saint-Germain is the biggest club in France. It's one of the biggest clubs in the world. The project is very ambitious and it's a club that wants to win titles and go far in every competition, which is what I like. I’m also someone with big goals, who is very ambitious. So, I was immediately drawn to it."

We imagine that the way the club trusts young talented players is also a source of motivation for you?

"Definitely! That's one of the reasons I chose this club. I see friends and teammates here, like Warren Zaïre-Emery and Bradley Barcola, who were lucky enough to start playing here, to progress and develop. We see them today and they have a great place at the club and in the national team. So, of course, it’s inspiring and makes me want to follow in their footsteps. Here, I see that age isn't a factor. On the pitch, it’s talent that matters. It’s about what you can bring to the team, the qualities you contribute to help the team perform. It’s a real source of motivation!"

We guess that you also spoke with Luis Enrique. How did that first conversation go?

"I’ve been able to talk with him, yes. He’s someone who is enthusiastic, confident and knows where he wants to go. We know this coach very well. He’s a big name in football. He was a player, but above all, he’s a great coach with an impressive CV. Now he’s at Paris Saint-Germain, and I believe he’s a coach who can bring me a lot, both as a person and as a footballer. So I’m very happy."

You’ve risen through the ranks rapidly, but you still have a lot to learn… What are your goals here with the club?

"I'm someone who has always worked hard, so first of all, I know that I’ll give everything for this shirt every weekend. I always try to give my all on the pitch and to improve in every area. But I’m also here to take advice from those around me so I can grow and perform on the pitch. I’m a young player who needs to keep building, developing and, above all, progressing because I believe I still have a lot to learn in football."

You’ve already experienced the Parc des Princes as a member of the opposition or as an international… but this time it will be different, you’ll experience it as a Parisian! We imagine you must be excited?

"Yes, of course. I’m looking forward to experiencing it, to hearing the crowd sing. In fact, I even had the chance to play at the Parc des Princes recently in the final of the Olympic Games and I was very happy to be in the stadium, to be honest. So today, it’s an immense pleasure.

But it’s also a magnificent stadium. And we know the atmosphere at the Parc des Princes is often extraordinary. So I’m very happy."

Do you have a message for the supporters?

"Yes, I want to tell the supporters that I’m very happy to be here, to play in your colours, and know that I will give everything for this club and will hold the Paris Saint-Germain shirt high. I look forward to seeing you at the Parc des Princes."