France international playmaker Mathieu Valbuena has signed for Olympique Lyonnais just a year after moving to Russia, the Ligue 1 club said on Tuesday.
The 30-year-old left Olympique de Marseille 12 months ago to join Dynamo Moscow for 7 million euros (US$7.75 million) on a three-year deal, but now he is back in his homeland as he bids to win a place in the France squad for Euro 2016.
Valbuena has signed a three-year deal worth 5 million euros with Lyon, who won the last of their consecutive seven-time French league titles in 2008.
Photo: AFP
The player passed a medical in Lyon on Tuesday morning and was later officially unveiled.
“I do not regret anything with Dynamo Moscow where everything went well the first season, but for my second year the sporting objectives were no longer in line with what I wanted,” Valbuena said after Dynamo were sidelined from the UEFA Europa League for breaking Financial Fair Play rules.
“We know Lyon’s level after a very good 2015 season and also qualifying for the [UEFA] Champions League. All that played a role in my decision,” said Valbuena, who began his career at Libourne before moving to Marseille in 2006, spending eight seasons at the Velodrome.
He won the French title with the southern giants in 2010, the same year he made his France debut — he has since scored seven goals in 48 appearances for the national team.
Details of Valbuena’s salary were not revealed, but he is unlikely to be earning close to the 6 million euros a year he was paid in Moscow.
The 1.67m-tall player — nicknamed “Petit vilo” (little bicycle) due to his small stature — is Lyon’s fourth recruit after defenders Jeremy Morel (Marseille) and Rafael (Manchester United), and striker Claudio Beauvue (En Avant de Guingamp).
“I am delighted to join Lyon. I arrive with a lot of humility and ambition to win titles, to bring experience,” Valbuena said.
“I was keen to return to France and with the interest shown by Lyon, I jumped at the chance,” he added.
Valbuena, who has scored seven goals in 48 appearances for Les Bleus, was looking for a higher profile with Lyon, with an eye to the European Championship at home.
“Obviously, a European Championship or a [FIFA] World Cup is something very important. The French team, I have never denied, it is my engine,” he said.
“It is something very important to play for your country. I did not hesitate a single second to return with so many objectives for this year, which looks like being very exciting,” he added.
Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas said that he had been looking to sign Valbuena since last year’s World Cup.
“He is the boy for us. I am very happy he is here and I have a feeling that things will go well,” Aulas said.
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