Ligue 1: “I am very happy to find myself in Lille”, confides Samuel Umtiti


Maximilien Carlier with AFP // Photo credits: FRANCK FIFE / AFP

Hero of the Blues at the 2018 World Cup before experiencing years of struggles and injuries at FC Barcelona, ​​defender Samuel Umtiti will return to the French championship by signing in Lille. The 29-year-old central defender, who was released from his contract with FC Barcelona in early July, signed for the legendary club in northern France for two seasons. “I am very happy to find myself here and to come back to France. I spent some good years in my career, some not so good and I made this decision to come back here, quite simply because we have the same values. than this Lille club,” said the 2018 world champion.

An FC Barcelona executive for several seasons

Arrived in 2016 at Barça from Olympique Lyonnais, his training club, Umtiti formed for two years the starting hinge with Gerard Piqué, winning two championships, three King’s Cups and two Spanish Supercups, but then lived a much more difficult period, chaining injuries. Particularly handicapped by chronic pain in the left knee, “Big Sam” has experienced a long crossing of the desert, playing only fifty matches during the four seasons after the title of the Blues of 2018.

Loaned to Lecce last season, the 29-year-old had a full year there, playing 25 matches, and brought his experience to help keep the Italian club in Serie A, narrowly acquired with one day remaining. The Puglia fans were not mistaken when they gave him a huge ovation for his last home game.

An essential link in the coronation of the Blues in Russia, Umtiti never regained the level that had been his during this competition: imperial in defense, dominating in the physical duel, he also scored the winning goal against Belgium with his head. in the semi-finals, an action celebrated by a dance praised by the rapper Vegedream. The French international (31 caps, 4 goals), who had once retained the confidence of Didier Deschamps despite his starving playing time in Catalonia, has not played with the tricolor jersey since June 2019 and a defeat of France against Turkey in Euro 2020 qualifying match.

Satisfied supporters

After his successful rebound in Lecce, Umtiti must bring his experience to the defense of Lille, fifth in the championship last season, and who lost their veteran captain José Fonte, 39, who left for Braga after nearly 200 matches with the Mastiffs. For Marko, a fan of the Mastiffs, the recruitment of Samuel Umtiti is the big hit of the summer: “Recruiting him from Lille is really a good thing. We’re super happy that he’s here. is an ultra-solid defensive player in defense. He is good on corners, he can bring a lot to LOSC. Thanks to his experience, he will be able to bring to young people”.

The French defender is Lille’s third recruit this summer, after the Portuguese right-back Tiago Santos, bought 6.5 million euros from Estoril, and the Icelandic international attacking midfielder Hákon Haraldsson, from FC Copenhagen for an amount unspecified.





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