OFFICIAL: YASSINE BENZIA LEAVES LYON FOR LILLE
Yassine Benzia has completed a permanent move from Olympique Lyonnais to Lille OSC on the final day of the French summer transfer window. The Algerian striker, who also represents France at the U21 level, has signed a four-year deal with LOSC.
Hervé Renard, manager of Lille, praised his new signing:
“He is a talented young player who has not yet had the opportunity to express himself 100% at Lyon, due to the strong competition and his young age.”
Benzia, 20, was also approached by Stade Rennais, but turned down the move in favor of joining one of France’s biggest clubs, in his words.
“I’m very happy with this transfer,” Benzia told LOSC’s official website. “I now aspire to have as much playing time as possible, to be effective and decisive for my team. I can play up front, in support, or on the wings. I’m impatient to start the adventure — and I’ve already circled the date of the next match… in Lyon!”
The move gives Benzia a much-needed opportunity for regular first-team football after struggling for minutes at OL.
