Olympique Lyon

[robaldo]

Olympique Lyonnais

Nickname(s):
- Les Gones,
- Lyon
- OL

Founded: 1899/1950
Stadium: Stade Gerland, Lyon
Capacity: 41,044

Chairman: Jean-Michel Aulas
Manager: Claude Puel
League: Ligue 1

Honours:

Ligue 1 Championship: 7
>2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008

Trophée des Champions
> 1973, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007

Coupe de France: 4
> 1964, 1967, 1973, 2008

Ligue 2 Championship: 3
> 1951, 1954, 1989

Coupe de la Ligue: 1
> 2001

UEFA Intertoto Cup:1
> 1997

[Morrison]

Lyon boss Gerard Houllier has revealed he is keen on signing Czech Republic duo Milan Baros and Tomas Rosicky.

Houllier was an interested observer as Czech Republic beat Macedonia 6-1 in a World Cup qualifier on Wednesday.

Lyon chairman Jean-Michel Aulas has previously admitted Liverpool striker Baros was amongst their targets for the summer.

Baros' future at Anfield remains uncertain with the player claiming he could be interested in a move away.

Houllier, who signed Baros when he was in charge at Liverpool, is believed to be keen to be reunited with Baros and could make it a double Czech swoop by making a move for Borussia Dortmund ace Rosicky.

"We are interested in Milan Baros and Tomas Rosicky who are among the top European players in their positions," Houllier told Czech daily Sport.

"I also wanted to say hello to Vladimir Smicer and congratulate him and Milan Baros on their win in the Champions League."

Rosicky could leave Dortmund in the summer as the cash-strapped German side ponder letting some of their top stars leave.

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Rosicky must leave Dortmund this summer if he want to rescue his career!!

[Morrison]

Lyon have completed the signing of Benoit Pedretti from Marseille.

The French champions have been chasing Pedretti all summer and they have finally landed their man.

Marseille had been fighting hard to keep the French international at Stade Velodrome, but have decided to cash-in on Pedretti.

Lyon boss Gerard Houllier is a big fan of Pedretti and made his signing one of his main goals when taking over at Stade Gerland.

Pedretti becomes the first signing of the summer for Houllier since replacing Paul Le Guen at the helm.

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****ing...******************************* :fero: :wtf: :fero: :wtf: :fero:

[KaKa22]

he will be a good signing for lyon, he maybe a replacement for essien if he leaves for chelsea

[KaKa22]

well baros has just admitted that he wants to stay at liverpool and that he has rejected an approach from lyon

[robaldo]

maybe Essien is set to leave now

[hanuma]

just to clarify what position does pedretti play...is he central or can he play wide?

[JD]

central

[hanuma]

Yeah i thought he was a bit like gerrard is/was i.e. going out to the right....thats why i have put him down as a right winger in the france squad.

[Morrison]

http://skysports.planetfootball.com/...channel=france

Lyon have completed the capture of Besiktas striker John Carew for €7.65 million.

The Norway international striker has penned a four-year deal with the French champions.

Carew, 25, brings vast experience to the Stade de Gerland outfit having previously played for Roma and Valencia.

"It's great news since the club's priority was to recruit a forward," said club president Jean-Michael Aulas.

"He is experienced and there is no doubt he will be a plus for Lyon."

Lyon coach Gerrard Houllier, who was linked with a move for Liverpool's Milan Baros, revealed Carew's strength was a major attraction.

"We were looking for a powerful and pacy striker to have more options up front, especially in the European competitions where it gets usually more physical," said Houllier.

[Morrison]

http://www.sportinglife.com/football...ER_Essien.html

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has insisted star midfielder Michael Essien and team-mates Mahamadou Diarra and Juninho will stay at the Ligue 1 champions despite interest in the trio from Europe's top clubs.

The three stars were an integral part of the Lyon side that claimed their fourth consecutive Ligue 1 title last season, but the departure of coach Paul Le Guen sparked rumours that several top players could follow him out of the club.

However with former Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier now at the helm, Lyon have started to prepare for another season of success, and after announcing the signing of striker John Carew on Sunday night, Aulas claimed on Monday that Essien, Juninho and Diarra will not be sold this summer.

"I have always said that Essien and Diarra would stay," said Aulas.

"There were a lot of frustrating rumours for me. I confirm today that they (Essien and Diarra) will stay, as well as Juninho.

"Having all of them in our team makes it stronger than before.

"The best recruitment starts by keeping the team's best players, and that's what we've done."

Essien has been strongly linked with Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal while Diarra has attracted reported interest from Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.

Brazil international Juninho, who is currently playing in the Confederations Cup with his national side, had hinted at leaving the Stade Gerland.

[canevren]

Carew had a good season here in Turkey but he was injured a few times. Other than that he kept scoring and putting out good performances. A good move for Carew and a useful signing for Lyon.

[canevren]

If Lyon can really keep these players, I bet we'll see them challenging for the Champions League. They have a great team. However, I think it's very hard to keep them when the interested clubs are economically so powerful.

[premfan]

The French league is certainly a good place to find talent and the players coming to England generally seem to settle easier. Lyon have a strong side and I agree, if they keep their current squad + the additions they are making, they could challenge for the CL. They play entertaining soccer.

[Jager]

The last few years they've been starting out very well, scoring a lot of goals, and playing very nice football.

Should they be considered a European elite yet? Are they favourites to win this?