Ainsley Maitland-Niles Joins Ligue 1 Club Lyon on Free Transfer
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Former Arsenal midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles has joined Ligue 1 club Lyon on a free transfer. The 25-year-old, capped five times by England, left the Gunners in June after his contract expired having made 132 appearances. Maitland-Niles has signed a four-year deal until 2027 with Lyon.
Maitland-Niles Seizes Opportunity
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“If I had been told aged six that I would one day be at Lyon, I could never have imagined it. I had to seize this opportunity,” Maitland-Niles said on Lyon’s website.
Maitland-Niles was in the Arsenal team that won the FA Cup in the 2019-20 season but subsequently fell down the pecking order under Gunners boss Mikel Arteta. He made just eight Premier League appearances in the 2021-22 season before a six-month loan spell with Italian club Roma.
Maitland-Niles spent the whole of last season on loan at Southampton where he made 26 appearances.
Lyon Looking to Rebuild with Maitland-Niles
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Lyon are looking to rebuild after a disappointing 2020-21 season in which they finished seventh in Ligue 1 and failed to qualify for European competition. They have already signed former Manchester City winger Thierry Ambrose and former Paris Saint-Germain defender Thiago Silva this summer.
Maitland-Niles is expected to add some much needed depth to the squad and provide some versatility in midfield. He can play in a variety of positions, including right back, central midfield, and on the wing.
The Englishman is also known for his pace and dribbling ability, which could be a valuable asset for Lyon as they look to get back into the top four of Ligue 1.
Maitland-Niles Looking Forward to New Challenge
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Maitland-Niles is looking forward to the challenge of playing in a new league and for a new club. “I am very excited to join a club like Lyon,” he said. “I am looking forward to meeting my new teammates and getting started.”
The 25-year-old is also hoping to make an impact on the pitch and help Lyon reach their goals. “I want to help the team achieve success and make sure that we are competing for trophies,” he said.
Conclusion
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Ainsley Maitland-Niles has joined Ligue 1 club Lyon on a free transfer after leaving Arsenal at the end of his contract. The 25-year-old has signed a four-year deal with Lyon and is looking forward to the challenge of playing in a new league and for a new club. Maitland-Niles is expected to add some much needed depth to the squad and provide some versatility in midfield with his pace and dribbling ability. He is hoping to make an impact on the pitch and help Lyon reach their goals of competing for trophies.