Official: Alexandre Lacazette rejoins Lyon

Veteran French striker Alexandre Lacazette has officially left Arsenal to join former club Lyon in a Bosman move.

Ligue 1 giants Lyon have made an official statement to confirm that they have re-signed Alexandre Lacazette. The veteran French striker has left Arsenal to rejoin his former club, putting pen to paper on a three-year deal running through to June 30, 2025, at the Groupama Stadium.

Alexandre Lacazette is a stalwart of French football as he spent the most productive years of his professional career with Lyon. The 31-year-old had progressed through the ranks at the Ligue 1 club before making his first-team debut in May 2010. Lacazette subsequently became one of the most fearsome strikers in France while eventually earning the status of club captain.

Lacazette’s stint with Lyon ended in July 2017 when he joined Arsenal. And the veteran striker made an immediate impact at the Emirates, establishing himself as a pivotal figure for the Gunners. But the Frenchman’s productivity has steadily gone down in the last few years, and he has been the shell of a player he once was at Lyon.

Lacazette, who captained Arsenal on several occasions in the last five years, managed a paltry tally of six goals and eight assists in 36 appearances across all competitions this past season. And as the months progressed, it became clear that the 31-year-old wanted to leave Arsenal as a free agent in the summer transfer window.

Arsenal attempted to tie Lacazette to a new contract, with Mikel Arteta recently confirming that the two parties were to sit down to discuss terms over a renewal. But Lacazette was determined to leave Arsenal as a free agent, and the north Londoners confirmed the inevitable a few days ago.

Widespread speculation soon started to filter in, and Lyon soon became the favourite to secure the services of the veteran French striker in a Bosman move. And the Ligue 1 giants have confirmed that they have re-signed Lacazette following his departure from Arsenal.

Lacazette has become Lyon’s second signing of the summer transfer window following the arrival of Remy Riou from Caen. It will be interesting to see if the 31-year-old forward can rediscover his best touch after returning to his old stomping ground following a few years of struggle at Arsenal.