Diarra destined for Bordeaux

Olympique Lyonnais have announced that 26-year-old France midfielder Alou Diarra is to join UEFA Cup contenders FC Girondins de Bordeaux on a four-year contract for a fee of €7.75m.

Friday move
Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas said: "We have come to an agreement with Bordeaux and he will join them on Friday." Capped 12 times, Diarra will become Bordeaux's fourth big summer signing following the arrivals of Jussiê, Mathieu Chalmé and David Bellion. Diarra joined Lyon last season following a spell with RC Lens, scoring once in 15 Ligue 1 appearances for the French champions.

Disappointed player
"I wish Lyon all the best for this season but I have been disappointed by my spell with them," said Diarra from Korea Republic, where he is on Peace Cup duty with the club. Diarra was not a first-choice player under Gérard Houllier and was told by the coach's successor Alain Perrin that he would not be guaranteed regular football this season either. "I hope I can have a fruitful season with Bordeaux now," the former Le Havre AC and SC Bastia player added. Bordeaux will start their UEFA Cup campaign in the first round while Lyon are preparing for the UEFA Champions League group stage.