'Hungry' Gourcuff homeward bound
Friday, June 6, 2008
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FC Girondins de Bordeaux have completed their first major transfer of the summer by signing AC Milan midfielder Yoann Gourcuff on a season-long loan.
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FC Girondins de Bordeaux have secured the services of AC Milan's French midfielder Yoann Gourcuff on loan for next season.
Return home
The 21-year-old quit his homeland two years ago to move to Italy after a series of impressive displays in France triumph's at the 2005 UEFA European Under-19 Championship propelled him into the spotlight. Gourcuff shone in his first season at the San Siro, scoring on his UEFA Champions League debut against AEK Athens FC. But the former Stade Rennais FC player found first-team action more difficult to come by last term and admitted his delight at securing a short-term move to Laurent Blanc's Bordeaux. "I have a huge motivation. I'm hungry for more playing time and to have the chance to gain some consistency again," he said.
European opportunity
Ironically, Gourcuff will once again have the chance to feature in the Champions League group stage in 2008/09 — his new club finished second in Ligue 1 last season to secure their place — while Milan will be restricted to UEFA Cup football after finishing fifth in Serie A. Despite his youth, he will be one of Bordeaux's most practised European campaigners and is keen to help his new team-mates shine in Europe's élite club competition."I hope I can bring my experience to the team," Gourcuff added.
