Coupet commits to Lyon

Goalkeeper Grégory Coupet has signed a long-term deal which will keep him at Olympique Lyonnais until 2010, initially as a player and from 2007 as a goalkeeping coach.

Six caps
Capped six times by France, and currently pushing Fabien Barthez for the No1 jersey, Coupet joined Lyon in January 1997 for a fee approaching €1m from AS Saint-Etienne. The 30-year-old has since established himself as one of Ligue 1's finest custodians and was an inspired performer as Lyon won the championship in 2002 and successfully defended it last season.

'Goalkeeping school'
Coupet's previous playing deal was due to expire in 2006 but he has agreed to keep goal for another campaign before joining the coaching staff. "I am confident Lyon will build a goalkeeping school," he said. Coupet has played 327 games for Lyon, including five in the group stage of this season's UEFA Champions League as the club topped Group A to set up a knockout meeting with Real Sociedad de Fútbol.