Olympique Lyonnais have signed Chelsea’s Bertrand Isidore Traoré on a five-year deal understood to be worth €10 million (£8.8 m).
Lyon confirmed the transfer on its official website on Monday with reports suggesting that the fees include a sell-on-clause and other potential add-ons.
Speaking to OLTV after his unveiling, an elated Traoré said, [perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“I am very happy to be here, to be Lyonnais. Lyon has always been an impressive club, with big players and a great history. It is an honor for me to play here.[/perfectpullquote]
“When I came here with Ajax a few months ago, I was attracted by the philosophy of the club, with several young players from the academy, and the magnificent Parc OL. With Ajax, we had a bit of a similar style of play and that enticed me to come here.
“I am coming to bring something extra to OL and I hope to continue progressing and to learn with the coach and my new team-mates. I want to show everyone what I can do and what am worth.”
The 21-year-old Burkina Faso international was impressive while on loan at Ajax last season, scoring nine goals in 24 appearances as it finished second in the Dutch top flight.
The club also reached the Europa finals after knocking out Lyon in the semi-finals thanks to two goals from the forward in the first leg.
Traoré joined Chelsea from Burkina Faso’s Association Jeunes Espoirs De Bobo-Dioulasso in 2013 and was sent on loan to Vitesse Arnhem the following year. He returned to London in 2015 making his Chelsea debut in a Champions League game against Moccabi Tel Aviv.
Despite limited playing time and cameo substitute appearances, Traoré scored 4 goals in 16 games for the Blues including scoring in three consecutive games before he was shipped off to Ajax last year.
Lyon finished 4th in League One last season meaning the striker will have a second shot at the trophy the side lost to Manchester United last season.
Featured Photo: Twitter
