Malouda pride over Lyon move
Thursday, July 24, 2003
Article summary
Olympique Lyonnais have snapped up En Avant Guingamp midfielder Florent Malouda for a reported €4m.
Article body
Five-year deal
The 23-year-old midfield player has agreed a five-year contract with the Gerland club and leaves Guingamp after three successful seasons. Last term, the Guyana-born Malouda played 37 times for the Brittany outfit, scoring ten goals.
Progress report
"Bernard Lama kept on telling me to watch him," said Lyon coach Paul Le Guen. "I saw him play for the France Under-18 team and then was aware of the progress he was making with [LB] Châteauroux and Guingamp [Malouda's former clubs]. I'm delighted he's here."
Third signing
Malouda was realistic about his chances of claiming a first-team place, saying: "First I have to reach the level of my team-mates, then I would like to win a major title." He becomes Lyon's third summer signing, following the arrivals of Anthony Réveillère from Valencia CF, and SC Bastia's Mickaël Essien. Lyon will enter the UEFA Champions League in the group stage, having won a second successive French title in 2002/03.
