Mercato update: Santamaria, Ryan, Omobamidele and more
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While no move has caught the eye in the way that the arrival of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to PSG has, this week has seen a flurry of transfer activity as the Ligue 1 McDonald's Mercato begins to draw to a close.
Omobamidele joins Racing
After a busy summer and a strong run of form powered by the likes of Andrey Santos and Emanuel Emegha, Racing Club de Strasbourg hadn't been expected to be overly busy in the current window, but Liam Rosenior's club have moved to reinforce their back line with the arrival on loan of Omobamidele, a promising young Irish international. With ten caps for his country, he joins on loan from Nottingham Forest through the end of the season, and will look to enhance his new club's depth as they hope to progress in the Coupe de France next midweek.
🇮🇪 in 💙and 🤍 pic.twitter.com/6RDK38CEFh
— Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace English (@RCSA_English) January 24, 2025
Ryan to Lens, Santamaria to Nice
The captain of the Australian national team (96 captains) has joined RC Lens. The Socceroos' 32-year-old goalkeeper Mathew Ryan signed up with the Sang et Or through the end of the season. During a rich career, the 'keeper has played in Belgium, Spain (Valencia, Real Sociedad), England (Brighton, Arsenal) and Serie A. Since last summer he has been with AS Roma, with whom he only played one Cup match. Speaking on Ryan's signing, Lens' sporting director Pierre Dreossi underscored the value of his experience, saying, "Mathew fits perfectly with the profile we sought to strengthen our goalkeeping ranks. He arrives in Artois with a hunger to play."
Further south, OGC Nice have reinforced their injury-hit squad with Baptiste Santamaria. The defensive midfielder had been with Stade Rennais, but found himself outside of Jorge Sampaoli's plans. Having played in 236 matches in Ligue 1, with both Rennes and Angers SCO, his experience will do much to boost his side's depth. Said sporting director Florian Maurice, "Baptiste has experience, work rate and quality. He's a top-level player who needs a new challenge and, importantly, he's in top physical condition."
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