Lyon Sign Rafael From Manchester United
Brazilian right back Rafael, who was part of Manchester United, has been signed up by Olympique Lyonnais.
Seven-time Ligue 1 champions Lyon have announced that the French football club has signed Brazilian right back Rafael from Manchester United.
"Olympique Lyonnais confirms an agreement has been reached with Manchester United for the transfer of Brazilian international Rafael da Silva, who will sign a four-year contract up to June 30, 2019 in the coming days," said a club statement on Monday, reports Xinhua.
"The player passed his medical today in Lyon and will be presented to the media by the end of the week."
Rafael, 25, joined Manchested United in 2008 from Brazil's Fluminense together with his twin brother Fabio. He played 169 games in all competitions and won three top-flight championships and one League Cup with the multiple English Premier League champions.
Under Machester United coach Louis van Gaal, however, Rafael lost his regular position in the starting line-up last season.
"I want to thank Manchester United fans for all the love during those eight years," he tweeted after being told to leave from the team's pre-season tour of the United States.
Thank you @ManUtd FC. I also want to thank all employees who always treated me with great affection and gave me greater attention.
- Rafael da Silva (@orafa2) August 3, 2015
Rafael is the third new signing of Lyon this summer after the arrival of Jeremy Morel from Marseille and Claudio Beauvue from Guingamp.
"Olympique Lyonnais will also make every effort to secure the services of another international player in the next days," said the club on their website.