Lyon swoop for bitter rivals´ star striker Gomis

Seven-times French champions Lyon signed French international striker Bafetimbi Gomis from historically bitter rivals St Etienne in a 15 million euro deal on Wednesday, the buying club announced.

The 23-year-old, scorer of ten goals last season which almost saw St Etienne relegated, signed a five-year contract, club official Bernard Lacombe told AFP.

“Everything has been finalised, it is a great thing. He will be a focal point for the attack which is important – ‘Bafe’ is a really exciting player,” Lacombe added.

The athletic centre-forward, scorer of two goals in his six appearances for France and part of their disappointing Euro 2008 finals squad which went out in the first round, will go some way to replacing fellow French international Karim Benzema, who was sold to Real Madrid for 35million euros.

Earlier on Wednesday Lyon gave up long-running efforts to recruit striker Loic Remy from Nice, citing disagreements about the valuation of the player.

Gomis joins other new signings Argentinian striker Lisandro Lopez and defender Aly Cissokho (both from FC Porto) and Michel Bastos from Lille in a 72 million euro recruitment campaign.