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Alexandre Lacazette rejoins Lyon after Arsenal exit

Alexandre Lacazette rejoins Lyon after Arsenal exit
© Reuters
French striker Alexandre Lacazette rejoins Lyon on a three-year deal after leaving Arsenal on a free transfer.

Lyon have confirmed the return of striker Alexandre Lacazette on a three-year deal following his Arsenal exit.

The 31-year-old will officially depart the Gunners at the end of the month following a five-year spell in North London and rejoins Les Gones on a free transfer.

Lacazette previously joined Lyon's youth ranks in the summer of 2003 and rose through the academy to make 275 appearances for the club in all competitions.

The Frenchman scored 129 goals and provided 43 assists for Les Gones during his eight years in the first team and finished as top scorer in the 2014-15 Ligue 1 season with 27 goals.

Lacazette won one Coupe de France crown and two Trophee des Champions before sealing a £47.7m move to Arsenal in the summer of 2017, scoring 17 goals in his debut season at the club.

Alexandre Lacazette in action for Arsenal on March 6, 2022© Reuters

Lacazette was named Arsenal's Player of the Season for 2018-19 after reaching double figures in both goals and assists in the Premier League season, as well as helping Unai Emery's side reach the Europa League final.

The 16-cap France international also collected an FA Cup winners' medal with Arsenal in the COVID-disrupted 2019-20 season, but his form took a dip last term.

Lacazette only managed four Premier League goals in 30 games during the entirety of the 2021-22 season - two of which came from the penalty spot - and he lost his place in the side to Eddie Nketiah during the final few weeks of the campaign.

The striker was always expected to end his Arsenal stint when his deal expired at the end of the season, and the club confirmed his imminent departure earlier this month before senior figures paid tribute to his contribution.

"We decided to part ways with the club taking a new direction at the end of my contract," Lacazette told arsenal.com when his exit was announced.

Arsenal's Alexandre Lacazette celebrates scoring their second goal on October 18, 2021© Reuters

"Now it is time for me to have a new experience and new adventure. It's complicated to choose one highlight over five years. So many good and bad moments but I want to keep hold of all the good moments.

"It was a pleasure to play in a club I dreamed of since I was young. I'm really happy to have played for Arsenal for five years. Once a Gunner, always a Gunner."

Manager Mikel Arteta added: "Laca has been a fantastic player for us. He's been a real leader on and off the pitch and has been a very important influence to our younger players. His commitment with us has been exceptional and we wish him and his family success and happiness."

Lacazette racked up a total of 71 goals and 36 assists in 206 games for Arsenal between 2017 and 2022, and his Lyon contract will take him beyond his 34th birthday in 2025.

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Written by
Ben Knapton

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