Lizarazu makes Marseille move
Wednesday, July 28, 2004
Article summary
The 34-year-old left-back Bixente Lizarazu has returned to French football with Olympique de Marseille.
Article body
German spell
After making his name with FC Girondins de Bordeaux, Lizarazu left his homeland eight years ago to join Athletic Club Bilbao. After one season in Spain, Lizarazu moved on to FC Bayern München where he stayed for seven seasons, winning the UEFA Champions League and four Bundesliga titles. Lizarazu linked up with the Marseille squad last night at their Brittany pre-season training camp in Port Crouësty.
Perfect blend
The 97-times capped France defender had revealed his intention to leave Munich in April and had long been linked with a move to Marseille, where he will join up with international team-mate Fabien Barthez. Joking about his new club colleague, with whom he won the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship, the veteran goalkeeper said: "It's all good for him and for Marseille. He's young and fresh." Marseille chairman Christophe Bouchet added: "We were very keen to get this signing. Our team is a perfect blend of youth and experience."
More signings
After the departure of Chelsea FC-bound striker Didier Drogba at the start of the week, Bouchet added that Marseille were expecting to make "one or two major signings". Among the names linked with the Ligue 1 club - who have also acquired Benoît Pedretti, Habib Bamogo, Bruno Cheyrou and Frédéric Déhu over the summer - are Bordeaux midfield player Eduardo Costa and Olympique Lyonnais striker Péguy Luyindula.
