Balmont needed by Nice
Tuesday, August 24, 2004
Article summary
Olympique Lyonnais midfield player Florent Balmont has signed a four-year contract with French rivals OGC Nice.
Article body
Midfield strength
The 24-year-old has left in a €1.5m transfer after failing to hold down a regular place with the French champions. The diminutive Balmont, a homegrown talent, had spent all last season on loan at Toulouse FC and was behind Mahamadou Diarra, Juninho Pernambucano and Michael Essien in the pecking order.
Recent departures
The signing will lift Nice after a disappointing start to the French season. The club are second from bottom, with just one point from three matches. Balmont will help fill the gap left by Romain Pitau and Everson, who have departed for FC Sochaux-Montbéliard and SL Benfica respectively.
