Olympique Lyonnais have confirmed the return of Algerian international Rachid Ghezzal, bringing the winger back to his boyhood club eight years after his departure.
The 33-year-old has signed a one-year contract at Groupama Stadium, marking a symbolic homecoming at the twilight of his career.
The announcement was made on Friday, 5 September 2025, with Lyon revealing that Ghezzal had rejoined as a free agent following the expiry of his contract with Turkish side Rizespor in July. Despite the transfer window being officially closed, the club was able to complete the deal as the player was unattached.
For Ghezzal, this return represents a full-circle moment. A product of Lyon’s famed academy system, he began his professional career with the club and spent several seasons in the first team before moving on in 2017.
His journey has since taken him across Europe, with spells in England and Turkey, but Lyon has always remained a defining chapter in his football story.
“Olympique Lyonnais is very pleased to announce the return of Rachid Ghezzal, free of any contract, who has signed a contract until 30 June 2026 with his training club,” the Ligue 1 side confirmed in an official statement.
The club was keen to underline both the sporting and symbolic importance of the deal, describing Ghezzal as an addition who brings more than just on-pitch ability.
Although expectations are not centred on Ghezzal reclaiming a guaranteed starting role, Lyon have emphasised the wider contribution he is expected to make.
With a wealth of top-flight experience behind him, the Algerian is seen as an influential figure for the club’s younger players, offering guidance as they transition from the academy into senior football.
“Rachid is an asset to the club on a sporting level and will also be a valuable link for the young players in the professional squad, strengthening the natural link between the Academy and the first team,” the statement added.
The return of a former academy graduate also reinforces Lyon’s long-standing reputation for nurturing talent and maintaining close ties with its alumni. For supporters, the signing is likely to stir both nostalgia and pride, recalling the winger’s earlier contributions in Lyon colours.
Ghezzal’s comeback does not only serve as a sporting decision but also as a symbolic gesture, reconnecting the present squad with the club’s traditions. His role may be transitional, bridging the gap between the current era and the new generation set to carry Lyon forward.
At 33, Ghezzal is entering the final stages of his career, and this contract could well represent his last chapter in European football.
For Lyon, the deal combines sentiment with strategy: adding an experienced player who understands the club’s culture while offering a mentor for the future stars emerging from their academy.
The winger’s return highlights the balance many clubs seek between continuity and renewal—honouring the past while investing in the next wave of talent.
For Ghezzal, it provides an opportunity to finish where it all began, in the colours of Olympique Lyonnais, closing the circle on a career that started on the very pitches of the club’s training ground.
