Mercato: Brassier to OM, Ethan Mbappé joins LOSC

ETHAN MBAPPE JOINS LOSC

While Kylian Mbappé has upped sticks to join Real Madrid, his younger brother Ethan will stay in France, having joined LOSC Lille on a free transfer. A 17-year-old midfielder, Mbappé joins the northern club, now under the direction of Bruno Génésio, on a three year contract, having made three appearances off the bench for Paris Saint-Germain last season. 

A box-to-box player, Mbappé spoked of his happiness at signing for Les Dogues, saying "I am very happy to join LOSC. I look forward to starting this adventure and meeting my new teammates, the staff, as well as the supporters. For me, at my age, staying in France was the best option to progress. I think LOSC was the best project... It's a real point of pride to be able to play here."

𝗟𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗲𝗿, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗢𝗹𝘆𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗲𝗻 💯🔵⚪ pic.twitter.com/ir1Lb74yka

— Olympique de Marseille 🇬🇧 🇺🇸 (@OM_English) July 4, 2024

MARSEILLE ADD BRASSIER

After signing  Canadian international midfielder Ismaël Koné from Watford earlier in the week, l'OM have continued to bolster their ranks ahead of a new season under Roberto De Zerbi. After helping Stade Brestois to a third-place finish last season, and a place in the UEFA Champions League, Lilian Brassier has joined the southern club on loan, with an obligatory €11M purchase option.

A product of the Stade Rennais academy, Brassier appeared more than a hundred times for Les Pirates, helping them to have one of the league's best defences last season under Éric Roy. The 24-year-old is yet to win a senior cap for France, but has been capped at youth levels. 

LYON SIGN NIAKHATÉ, ABNER

Brassier isn't the only new face set to feature in a Ligue 1 defence next season -- building on what has been a busy mercato to date, Olympique Lyonnais have announced two signings of defenders: center back Moussa Niakhaté from Notthingham Forest, and left back Abner Vinicius from Real Betis. 

A Senegal international, the Roubaix-born Niakhaté has previously featured in in France for both FC Metz and Valenciennes. Brazilian Abner wasn't always a first choice in Spain as his side finished seventh last year, appearing in 23 matches, but helped Brazil win Olympic gold in Tokyo in 2021.

ABDELHAMID EST VERT!

Finally, former Stade de Reims defender Yunis Abdelhamid has joined promoted side AS Saint-Étienne. Having made more than 200 apperances for the Champagne side, the Morocco international joins on a one-year contract with an option for an additional season. 

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