Gourcuff signs up for Lyon challenge

UEFA Champions League contenders Olympique Lyonnais have completed the signing of FC Girondins de Bordeaux and France playmaker Yoann Gourcuff on a five-year contract.

The 24-year-old has joined Lyon for a reported €22m, a figure that could rise by as much as €4.5m in sell-on fees. "I want to thank everyone at Bordeaux," said Gourcuff. "They helped me improve as a player. I now want to work hard, progress and win trophies by becoming part of this Lyon team and helping the club achieve its goals. This is a new start and a real challenge."

The son of FC Lorient coach Christian Gourcuff, the attacking midfielder signed for AC Milan from Stade Rennais FC in 2006, only to return to France with a loan move to Bordeaux in summer 2008. He earned a permanent deal after helping secure the Ligue 1 title in his first season. In total, he fired 18 goals in 69 league outings for Bordeaux and has represented France on 22 occasions. His new side will discover their UEFA Champions League group stage opponents after the draw in Monaco on Thursday.

Meanwhile, forward Yannis Tafer has left Lyon for Toulouse FC on a season-long loan with an option to make the switch permanent. Part of the France squad that won the 2010 UEFA European Under-19 Championship in July, the 19-year-old arrives at Toulouse just days after the sale of André-Pierre Gignac to French champions Olympique de Marseille.