Alexander Lacazette has returned to France to continue his career in Olympique Lyon, the club where he started and grew through the youth ranks to become a superstar.
Lyon have announced they have secured the services of the former Arsenal striker on a free transfer after his contract at the Emirates Stadium ends this month.
Following the development, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has described Lacazette as a fantastic player who displayed rare leadership qualities on and off the pitch. The Trumpet Gathered
“Laca has been a fantastic player for us. He’s been a real leader on and off the pitch and has been a very important influence to our younger players,” he said.
“His commitment with us has been exceptional and we wish him and his family success and happiness,” Arteta added.
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Lacazette joined Arsenal in 2017 in a deal worth about £47.5milion and went on to win the FA Cup in 2020 with the club he has dreamt to play in his life.
Fulfilled with his dreams at the North London club, Lacazette capped 16 times for France national team, decided to continue his paused exploit with Lyon that finished outside the UEFA tournaments’ qualifying spot on the Ligue 1 table.
The striker, who signed a three-year deal with Peter Bosz’s side that will keep him in Groupama Stadium until 2025, scored 71 goals in 206 appearances for Arsenal and has amassed 200 goals in 481 appearances in his entire career.
Before his return to Lyon, the 31-year-old in an interaction on Arsenal’s official website, said, “I want to keep all the good moments I had in the club because for me it was just a pleasure to play for a club that, since I was young, I dreamt of. I’m really happy to have played for five years for Arsenal.
“There’s a board at the stadium with all the winners’ names on it, and in my first season, I told my dad that one day I would be on it. So I’m really proud I made it,” he added.
Lacazette, following Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s move to Barcelona in January, was not given enough playing time as Arteta preferred Eddie Nketiah to lead the attack in Arsenal’s starting lineup.
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