Following his departure from Arsenal, striker Alexandre Lacazette has returned to Lyon on a three-year agreement.
The 31-year-old will leave Arsenal at the end of the month after a five-year stay in North London, and will rejoin Les Gones on a free transfer.
Lacazette joined Lyon’s youth divisions in the summer of 2003 and progressed through the ranks to make 275 appearances in all competitions for the club.
During his eight years in the first squad, the Frenchman scored 129 goals and provided 43 assists for Les Gones. Moreover, the France forward was also the top scorer in Ligue 1 with 27 goals in 2014-15.
Lacazette earned one Coupe de France title and two Trophee des Champions before joining Arsenal for £47.7 million in the summer of 2017.
In the first season with Arsenal, the Frenchman scored 17 goals and soon became a key player for the Gunners. Lacazette was voted Arsenal’s Player of the Season for 2018-19 after scoring ten goals and assisting ten times in the Premier League. It also helped Unai Emery’s side to reach all the way to the Europa League final.
In the COVID-affected 2019-20 season, the 16-cap France international also won the FA Cup with Arsenal, but his form dipped last season. During the entire 2021-22 season, Lacazette only scored four Premier League goals in 30 games, two of which came from the penalty spot.
Moreover, he was also replaced by Eddie Nketiah in the final weeks of the campaign. The striker’s contract with Arsenal was set to expire at the end of the season, and the club announced his departure earlier this month.
Alexandre Lacazette comments on leaving Arsenal and rejoining Lyon
Lacazette told arsenal.com when his exit was announced:
“We decided to part ways with the club taking a new direction at the end of my contract,”
“Now it is time for me to have a new experience and new adventure. It’s complicated to choose one highlight over five years. So many good and bad moments but I want to keep hold of all the good moments.”
“It was a pleasure to play in a club I dreamed of since I was young. I’m really happy to have played for Arsenal for five years. Once a Gunner, always a Gunner.”
Manager Mikel Arteta added:
“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. His commitment with us has been exceptional and we wish him and his family success and happiness.”
Between 2017 and 2022, Lacazette scored 71 goals and added 36 assists in 206 games for Arsenal, and his Lyon contract will keep him playing until he turns 34 in 2025.
