Adieu, Rémy Cabella

During his time in Lille, Cabella added significant depth, experience, and leadership to the squad, initially under Paulo Fonseca and most recently under Bruno Génésio. A key creative outlet and calming influence, he helped Lille navigate back-to-back European campaigns, reaching the UEFA Europa Conference League quarter-finals in 2023-2024 — where the side fell in a dramatic penalty shootout to Aston Villa — before competing in the UEFA Champions League this season with Les Dogues.

Cabella leaves the club with the satisfaction of having helped guide Lille to another Champions League qualification. Olympiacos, who secured their place in next season’s revamped Champions League league phase, will now benefit from his vast experience.

A fitting finale

The Frenchman signed off from his time at LOSC in style. In his final appearance, on Matchday 34 of the Ligue 1 McDonald's season against Stade de Reims, he delivered one of the most breathtaking goals of the campaign. In front of a sold-out home crowd and a stunning 35th anniversary tifo from the DVE ultras, Cabella opened the scoring with a majestic “aile de pigeon” (back-heel volley) after reacting instinctively to a deflected long-range shot from Thomas Meunier.

It was a fitting finale for a player known for flair and imagination — a poetic full stop to a storied Ligue 1 career that has included spells at Montpellier HSC, Olympique de Marseille, AS Saint-Étienne, and now LOSC.

The Frenchman had announced his departure earlier this month via an emotional post on social media. “I don’t know how to thank you for these three beautiful years and all the love you gave me! I tried to give you the best of myself… It is with a heavy heart and a lot of emotion that I say goodbye.”

Cabella leaves as part of a wider summer reshuffle at Lille, with Jonathan David, Vito Mannone, and Angel Gomes also expected to depart as free agents.

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