Dejan Lovren signs for Lyon

Croatian international Dejan Lovren has returned to French Ligue 1 club Olympique Lyonnais.

The 33-year-old, who was impressive for Croatia in Qatar at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, helping his country to the bronze medal, has signed with Lyon until 2025, the club confirmed today.  

“I am very happy to return to Olympique Lyonnais. It was the club that opened the doors of international football to me, I will never forget it. I have a lot of memories here, a lot of links too, especially with President Jean Michel Aulas who has always supported me. I left Lyon in 2013 with regrets because I had the feeling that I had not shown everything. I want to prove to everyone what a player I really am,” Lovren said. 

Lovren signed for Lyon back in 2010 for €8 million plus €1.5 million in incentives on a four-and-a-half-year contract from Dinamo Zagreb. He played 72 times for the club until 2013, scoring two goals.

New Lyon manager Laurent Blanc yesterday revealed that he wanted players with “experience, aggression, and character” and the Croatian defender definitely fits that bill. 

Lovren moved to Southampton from Lyon, after which he moved to Liverpool until 2020 and then Zenith Saint-Petersburg where he was club captain.

“Thank you for everything Zenith Saint-Petersburg. I really enjoyed the 2.5 years in the most beautiful city in the world. I will carry a lot beautiful memories in my heart forever. I can say proudly that I enjoyed being your captain. Me and my family want to say Thank You to all the people we met here, all friendships we built..we will never forget you. Big thanks to all the people in the club, I will miss you. To my teammates and all the coaching staff, it was a privilege to play with you and to work with you. We will stay friends forever. I wish you good luck for the rest of the season, I know you can make it,” Lovren posted on Instagram.