Lyon make Monsoreau investment
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Article summary
Olympique Lyonnais have completed the €5m signing of the FC Sochaux-Montbéliard defender Sylvain Monsoreau.
Article body
Versatile performer
Monsoreau arrives on a four-year contract after the clubs agreed a €5m fee for the former French Under-21 international. Monsoreau was part of Sochaux's French League Cup-winning team of 2003/04 and subsequently played nine UEFA Cup matches in the season just ended. The 24-year-old can operate at left-back or centre-back, but has been bought to challenge for the latter position.
Replacement signed
His replacement at Sochaux will be 20-year-old former Swiss youth international Arnaud Bühler. The defender joins from Liverpool FC on a four-year contract, having spent the last two seasons on loan at FC Aarau in his homeland.
Contracts awarded
Meanwhile, Lyon have also handed professional contracts to 17-year-old homegrown products Johan Hartock and Rémy Riou, both goalkeepers, and forward Karim Benzema. In addition, 21-year-old squad men Yohann Truchet and Yacine Hima have signed new two-year contracts, while 20-year-old forward Demba Touré has been loaned to Switzerland's Grasshopper-Club.
