Lille OSC have annouced the signing of French centre-back Samuel Umtiti (29) on a free transfer. The Lyon youth product was a free agent following the termination of his contract with FC Barcelona. The Frenchman enjoyed an injury-free campaign last season on loan at Serie A side Lecce, and proved crucial in helping the Apulians stay up in the Italian top flight. RMC Sport broke the news last night that the former Lyon youth product had successfully passed a medical with Lille.
A dog randomly interrupted Samuel Umtiti’s unveiling press conference as a Lille player this morning 😂🐶 pic.twitter.com/N1TaIVFiEC
— Get French Football News (@GFFN) July 22, 2023
Umtiti has put pen to paper on a two-year deal with Les Dogues, who have qualified for next season’s UEFA Conference League. The 2018 World Cup winner with France will make an unexpected return to Ligue 1, after his breakout years in Lyon that earned him a move to Barcelona in 2016. Lille were in the market for a “number one” centre-back, as quoted by club CEO Olivier Létang, following the departure of long-serving defender José Fonte. With Umtiti, who sometimes looked back to his commanding best last season at Lecce, Lille have got their man.
GFFN | Bastien Cheval
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