Laurent Blanc pays tribute to Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Laurent Blanc licks his lower lip as he observes the on-the-field action during the Champions League encounter between Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea on February 16, 2016
© Getty Images
Paris Saint-Germain boss Laurent Blanc pays tribute to Zlatan Ibrahimovic after the Swede confirmed that he would be leaving the club at the end of the season.

Paris Saint-Germain boss Laurent Blanc has paid tribute to Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who will leave the French champions at the end of the season.

The experienced Swede revealed earlier this afternoon that he would be departing Paris this summer after spending four seasons with the French giants - scoring 152 times in 178 matches.

Blanc has said that Ibrahimovic, who has been strongly linked with a move to Manchester United, has played a key role in the progression of PSG and paid tribute to the 34-year-old 'as a man'.

"Zlatan made us move forward hugely... the union is ending, but the club has to continue to move forward. There are many things to remember. First and above all, he is a fantastic player," Blanc told reporters.

"The player I knew, the man a little less, but I had great admiration for the man. He was a instrumental in the project of PSG, not only on the pitch but also in terms of image and of charisma. But above all, what I'll remember is the competitor. I have seldom seen one like him."

Ibrahimovic has scored 46 times in 49 appearances for his French club this season. Saturday night's Ligue 1 clash against Nantes will be his last in a PSG shirt.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic in action during the Champions League quarter-final between Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain on April 12, 2016
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CParis Saint-GermainPSG383062102198396
2Lyon381981167432465
3AS MonacoMonaco38171475750765
4Nice381891158411763
5Lille381515839271260
6Saint-EtienneSt Etienne38177144237558
7Caen38166163952-1354
8Rennes381313125254-252
9Angers381311144038250
10Bastia38148163642-650
11Bordeaux381214125057-750
12Montpellier HSCMontpellier38147174947249
13Marseille381018104842648
14NantesNantes381212143344-1148
15Lorient381113144758-1146
16GuingampGuingamp381111164756-944
17Toulouse38913164555-1040
18Reims38109194457-1339
19Gazelec AjaccioGFC Ajaccio38813173758-2137
RTroyes3839262883-5518