Struggling Lyon signs veteran midfielder Matic from Rennes to boost survival bid
Sat, Jan 27, 2024
Soccer News (AP)
LYON, France (AP) - Struggling French club Lyon signed veteran defensive midfielder Nemanja Matic from Rennes on Saturday to boost its bid to avoid relegation.
The 35-year-old Serb brings a wealth of experience from long stints with both Chelsea and Manchester United.
Seven-time French champion Lyon lost 3-2 at home to Rennes on Friday night and sits in 16th place.
Matic, who retired from international soccer having played 48 times for Serbia, won the Premier League twice and the FA Cup once, all with Chelsea. He played for Roma last season under his former Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho, reaching the Europa League final.
Matic could make his Lyon debut next Sunday against Marseille.
Lyon said it paid a transfer fee of 2.6 million euros ($2.8 million). Matic signed a contract to June 2026.
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