Lyon splash out on midfielder Bastos

Olympique Lyonnais have signed left-sided Brazilian midfielder Michel Bastos from LOSC Lille Métropole in an €18m transfer.

Four-year deal
According to a Lyon statement, Bastos is expected in Lyon later today where he will undergo a medical and put pen to paper on a four-year contract. The 25-year-old, who began his career in the Netherlands with Feyenoord and SC Excelsior, joined Lille in 2006 from CA Paranaense and helped his side to fifth place in Ligue 1 and UEFA Europa League qualification last term. His 14 goals in 37 games also earned a nomination as Ligue 1 Player of the Year.

Play-off bow
Bastos's arrival at Stade de Gerland should help soften the blow of playmaker Juninho Pernambucano's departure for Qatari team Al-Gharafa SC. Lyon, third in 2008/09 following a run of seven successive French titles, begin their UEFA Champions League campaign in the play-off round next month. They had already bought striker Lisandro López from FC Porto after selling Karim Benzema to Real Madrid CF.