Makelele joins PSG

Chelsea's former France international midfielder Claude Makelele has reached an agreement to sign for Paris Saint Germain, the French club announced on Monday.

The 35-year-old is set to be presented at a press conference later on Monday after a deal was reached between both teams at the weekend.

"I'm very happy, everything went well," said Makelele. "It took some time but I wanted this so much that Chelsea gave me the possibility of finishing my career in my own country.

"It's a very important challenge, I hope to enjoy it, and there's also my family," said Makelele, whose partner and son live in Paris.

"I'm coming to bring a little more experience. I'm not coming like a Messiah but to teach what I also learned when young."

Makelele joined Chelsea from Spanish side Real Madrid in 2003 for 16.8 million pounds and won two Premier League titles with the club. Chelsea are reported to have freed the player from the final year of his contract.

Makelele's last match for the club was their Champions League final defeat by Manchester United in Moscow in May.

Capped 71 times he retired from international football in June after France's disappointing exit from Euro 2008.

Makelele becomes the second major recruit of new PSG president Charles Villeneuve after Ludovic Giuly joined from AS Roma last week.

The club, who struggled last season, have also recruited Guillaume Hoarau from Le Havre and Stephane Sessegnon from Le Mans.