Lyon bring Wiltord home
Tuesday, August 31, 2004
Article summary
Former Arsenal FC forward Sylvain Wiltord has returned to France to sign for champions Olympique Lyonnais.
Article body
Arsenal departure
The 30-year-old was part of France's UEFA EURO 2000™ winning side - scoring the last-gasp equaliser in the final against Italy - and also played in Portugal this summer. He was released by Arsenal FC in the close season, four years after moving to Highbury for a then club-record €21m fee from FC Girondins de Bordeaux. With the latter team he claimed the 1998/99 Ligue 1 title and was voted 1999 French Footballer of the Year.
High ambitions
Wiltord, who had been training with Stade Rennais FC in recent weeks, said of the move: "I was interested in coming here because I have always loved playing for winning clubs. I hope we are going to go far in the [UEFA] Champions League and am confident this club have the potential to clinch a fourth [successive French] title."
United reunion
He faces an immediate reunion with Arsenal's domestic rivals Manchester United FC when Lyon welcome Sir Alex Ferguson's side for their first UEFA Champions League Group D fixture on 15 September.