Lyon swoop to secure Nordby

Experienced Norway goalkeeper Bente Nordby has agreed to join UEFA Women's Cup semi-finalists Olympique Lyonnais from Djurgårdens IF FF in January, bringing her face to face with former Swedish rivals Umeå IK.

Pons injury
European debutants Lyon and two-time winners Umeå meet for a place in the final over two legs in the spring, and Nordby will be available for the ambitious French champions, who eliminated holders Arsenal LFC last month but are without France goalkeeper Véronique Pons due to a serious injury. Nordby, 33, won the 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup and reached the UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2005™ final with Norway but has only played in just one UEFA Women's Cup campaign, a run to the 2003/04 last eight for Kolbotn IL.

Further signings
Lyon, who will be at home to Umeå – probably at the Stade de Gerland – in the first leg in late March, have won all six of their French league matches this season and Nordby may not be the last arrival with the club hinting at more defensive signings. Meanwhile Swedish runners-up Djurgården, who will be in Europe next season if Umeå claim a third UEFA Women's Cup, have already secured Nordby's replacement, Germany No1 Nadine Angerer.