January 02, (THEWILL) – Lyon have completed the signing of Croatian defender Dejan Lovren, from Zenit Saint Petersburg on a deal until June 2025.
The 33-year-old, who was part of the Croatian team that finished third at the World Cup in Qatar last year, returns to his former club for a second spell, ten years after leaving the Ligue 1 side for Southampton. Lovren brings a wealth of experience to Lyon’s backline, having also helped the Croatian national team reach the World Cup final in 2018.
During his first stint at Lyon between 2010 and 2013, Lovren made 102 appearances and won the Coupe de France in 2012. He then spent seven years in England, playing for Southampton and Liverpool, where he won the Champions League and Premier League titles. Lovren then joined Zenit, where he won back-to-back domestic crowns before returning to Lyon.
“I am very happy to return to Olympique Lyonnais”, Lovren said in a statement. “It was the club that opened the doors of international football to me, I will never forget it.
“I have many memories here, many links too, especially with club President, Jean Michel Aulas, who has always supported me. I left Lyon in 2013 with regrets because I felt I had not shown everything. I want to prove to everyone what a player I really am.”
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Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
