Lille have completed the signing of former Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti on a free transfer.
Umtiti has penned a two-year deal with the French club, meaning he will remain with the side until at least the summer of 2025.
The defender is returning to the Ligue 1, having previously represented Olympique Lyon from August, 2011 till July, 2016.
Lille’s statement confirming the signing of Samuel Umtiti
Confirming his arrival to Lille, the club put out a statement on their website which reads:
“LOSC announces the signing of Samuel Umtiti, new LOSC player. The 29-year-old defender, 2018 world champion, has signed with the club until 2025.”
Samuel Umtiti spent the entirety of the 2022/23 season on loan at Lecce, having lost his place in the starting eleven of Barcelona.
The Frenchman made 25 appearances for the Serie A side, scoring no goal and providing no assist but he helped the club in keeping their place in the top-flight.
Umtiti is Lille’s fourth signing this summer, having already signed Hákon Arnar Haraldsson, Tiago Santos and Lisandru Olmeta.
Umtiti has also expressed his delight at joining Lille saying he made the decision because he shares the same value with the club.
He said: “I am very happy to arrive here, to return to France. I made this decision because I have the same values as this club, and I am the happiest today.”
Umtiti speaking about his fitness
The former Lyon defender also shared that he emphasized on his fitness, indicating that he is fit and ready to strut his stuff.
Umtiti said: “Last year I had a fairly complete season, where I started playing from December. I felt very good, I was able to string together the matches.
“Physically I am very well, I am ready to play.”
Paulo Fonseca’s side finished 5th in the Ligue 1 last term, ending the season 5 places above where they ended in the 2021/22 season.
However, following their league triumph in the 2020/21 season, the club has experienced a sharp decline in form.
The addition of Samuel Umtiti should provide solidity in defense for Lille, having conceded 44 goals in the Ligue 1 last season.
The 29-year-old made 133 appearances for Barcelona, scoring 2 goals and providing 1 assist in all competitions.
He spent 7 years at the Spanish side, winning several trophies including; 2 La Liga titles, 3 Copa Del Rey and 2 Supercopa de España.
Umtiti joined Barcelona on the 30th of June, 2023 from Olympique Lyon for a fee of €25 million and he established himself as a first choice in defense.
However, his career at the Catalan side was plagued by injuries and that ultimately blighted his career in Spain.
Samuel Umtiti was also part of France’s 2018 World Cup winning squad that achieved glory in Russia.
The 29-year-old made 31 appearances, scoring 4 goals and providing 0 assists for France.
