Lyon sign Lopez in a record deal

Seven times Ligue 1 Champions Lyon have have finalised, for a club-record transfer, the signing of Argentine international striker Lisandro Lopez from Portuguese side Porto, for an initial fee of €24 million.

The 26-year-old marksman, who was the top scorer in Portugal in 2008, has signed a five-year contract at the Stade Gerland and could ultimately cost the seven-time French champions €28m, based on appearances and other performance-related factors.

Lyon’s capture of the Argentine striker, who has been capped six times by his country, follows the sale of French international striker Karim Benzema to Spanish giants Real Madrid for €35m.

“Lisandro Lopez today signed a professional contract with Lyon for a duration of five years, having passed the traditional medical necessary for the completion of the transfer,” read a statement on the Lyon website.

At €24m, Lopez becomes Lyon’s most expensive ever signing, beating the €17.7m paid out for Brazilian Sonny Anderson, who arrived from Barcelona in 1999.