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Will departing Zlatan sign off from PSG in style?

AFP/The Local
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Will departing Zlatan sign off from PSG in style?
Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Photo: AP Photo/Christophe Ena

Swedish star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will aim to lift one final trophy as the curtain comes down on his record-shattering Paris Saint-Germain career in Saturday's French Cup final.

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Ibrahimovic, who obliterated Pauleta's club goals record earlier this season and now stands on 154 from 179 games, announced he will leave Paris when his contract expires at the end of June after a trophy-laden four years in France.

The Swede will look to fire Laurent Blanc's side to a second straight domestic treble which would send PSG level with Marseille as ten-time winners of the French Cup.

Ibrahimovic notched his 37th and 38th league goals in Saturday's 4-0 thumping of Nantes in his final appearance at the Parc des Princes to surpass Argentine striker Carlos Bianchi's 37-goal mark set during the 1977-78 season.

Having been crowned France's player of the year for a record third time, before modestly declaring "I came like a king, left like a legend", Ibrahimovic will hope to bow out with his reputation enhanced yet further.

READ ALSO: Zlatan says Sweden will win Euro 2016

Although the 34-year-old has missed training with a sore calf this week, there is no question the Sweden star will spearhead the PSG attack one final time at the Stade de France.

"It's a bit of a sad moment, but the project continues. So does Zlatan's career. You have to go through moments like this to move forward," said Blanc, reflecting on Ibrahimovic's profound impact on the club.

"Zlatan has brought the club on enormously, beyond expectations. He has had one of the best seasons as a footballer and it's been a huge pleasure to work with him."

There had been speculation about whether he would remain in Paris for one further season in the hope he could get his hands on the elusive Champions League trophy.

But in the end Ibrahimovic, who spent four years at Paris after signing from AC Milan, has decided the time is right to walk away.

There have been rumours he is set to join LA Galaxy in the US Major League Soccer, while reports also linked him with a move to England's Premier League or his former Club AC Milan. 

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