Alexandre Lacazette sets his target after sealing Lyon return

The former Arsenal striker has returned to his hometown club on a free transfer.

Alexandre Lacazette has set a return to Europe as his target for Lyon after re-joining the club from Arsenal.

The 31-year-old will formally return to Lyon as a free agent when his Arsenal contract has expired and the transfer window reopens on July 1. He has signed a three-season deal with the Ligue 1 side until the summer of 2025.

Lacazette’s arrival will serve as a welcome boost for next season as Peter Bosz’s side attempt to return to Europe, having failed to qualify for any continental competition last season.

“Thank you for the welcome and the love shown in recent months,” Lacazette said at his unveiling.

“My return has become obvious in recent weeks. Even without Europe, the project is important. I felt I can be useful in the locker room and on the pitch. It was the best decision to make.

“I took some time to make my decision. Football is a beautiful profession. It was difficult to follow last season from a distance because I couldn’t help. I hope this period is over and that we are going to build a great Lyon. The priority is above all to help the club return to the top of the bill with European qualification.”

❤️💙 𝕎𝕖𝕝𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕖 𝕙𝕠𝕞𝕖, 𝔸𝕝𝕖𝕩 ❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/jtQ84XKOIH

— Olympique Lyonnais 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@OL_English) June 9, 2022

What is Lacazette’s record at Lyon?

The striker is a product of the club’s youth system and played for the first team from 2010 until his €53 million departure to Arsenal in 2017.

In 275 appearances across all competitions, Lacazette managed 129 goals and 43 assists. He won the Ligue 1 Golden Boot in 2014/15 and helped Lyon win two trophies, the Coupe de France and the Trophée des Champions.

In comparison, Lacazette supplied 71 goals and 36 assists in 206 appearances for Arsenal. The Frenchman won the club’s Player of the Season in 2018/19, the FA Cup, and the Community Shield.