PSG's David Luiz: I turned down Chelsea's contract offer

David Luiz said he turned down a contract offer from Chelsea in order to join Paris Saint-Germain during the offseason. Luiz, 27, joined PSG in June and his £50 million transfer fee was a world record for a defender after playing two-and-a-half years with Chelsea.

Defenseman David Luiz said he turned down a contract offer from Chelsea in order to join Paris Saint-Germain during the offseason, the Guardian's Nick Ames reports.

Luiz, 27, joined PSG in June after playing two-and-a-half years with Chelsea. His £50 million transfer fee was a world record for a defender. Despite Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho saying the team wouldn't miss Luiz because of its depth on defense, Luiz revealed the club did offer him a new contract, but he preferred the offer from PSG.

“Chelsea offered me a new contract to stay but it was my choice to come here,” he said. “I was happy with the plan PSG offered to me and I think it was exactly the right moment to move. I was so happy at Chelsea – I won two titles, I won another title for the FA Cup, so it was great for me.

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The Brazilian defender also said he is happy his old club has started the season in first place. Chelsea holds a five point lead in the Premier League after a 6-1-0 start to the season.

PSG is 3-6-0 and tied for third in France's Ligue 1, seven points behind Marseilles. PSG defeated Barcelona in Champions League play last week and played Monaco to a 1-1 draw on Sunday.

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- Paul Palladino