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Homecoming: Which Ligue 1 Players have returned to their roots?

Like his new teammates, Corentin Tolisso and Alexandre Lacazette or even Téji Savanier or Kévin Gameiro in recent seasons, Georges Mikautadze is returning to his first training club in Ligue 1 McDonald's. Here's a look at some other who have done the same:
E. DEVIN
Published on 07/24/2024 at 16:00
3-minute read
Olympique Lyonnais players Alexandre Lacazette and Corentin Tolisso

Nine years later,  Mikautadze has officially joined Olympique Lyonnais until 2028. Born in the Gerland district in October 2000, the Georgian international proudly wore the colors of OL until he was 15 before joining Saint-Priest and then FC Metz. His homecoming which brings to mind several others, particularly within the Rhone club itself.

With Mikautadze, Tolisso and Lacazette two seasons ago, Olympique Lyonnais is undoubtedly the “reference” for returning to his training club. The Gones' striker is in great form at 33 and still leads his team's attack. The all-time top scorer among the current players (146 goals), Lacazette has scored 46 goals in 64 Ligue 1 McDonald's matches since returning in 2022, alongside Tolisso, the 2018 World Cup winner having spent five seasons with Bayern Munich.

Savanier, a happy return

Among recent examples, there have been other successes. Currently in Ligue 1 McDonald's, Téji Savanier has also returned to his first club with a smile. During the 2019 summer transfer window, Montpellier HSC brought home Savanier who had been playing well not far from there with Nîmes Olympique, where he won the title of best passer in Ligue 1 McDonald's.

Although he missed the first three months of his first season due to injury, the playmaker quickly took charge at MHSC, completing the 22/23 season with a personal best of 12 goals. “He put enormous pressure on himself, he was so happy to come back to Montpellier,” explained his coach Michel Der Zakarian.

In five seasons, the Hérault leader has accumulated 39 goals and 25 assists, also scoring 100% on penalties. “I wanted to come back to my club, to my city, to play in front of my family, everyone. It was very important to me. It was in the back of my mind. And it clicked when I started the season last year with Nîmes (18/19). I said to myself, maybe it’s this year or never,” said the player to local paper Midi Libre.

A Racing COMEBACK

Before them, Kévin Gameiro returned to Alsace in 2021. The striker returned to France to play with Strasbourg, his first professional club -- which he left in 2008 -- and scored 25 goals in three seasons at RCSA.

“It’s great to come back, something that everyone wanted. I am aware of what my return can bring to people. There are always nice surprises in football. A return to France was always a possibility in the back of my mind, even more so here," said the French striker on his return.

While these five players are excellent recent examples, it's also a trend that's been followed by the likes of Nicolas Anelka with Paris Saint-Germain, Éric Abidal with AS Monaco and Yoann Gourcuff with Stade Rennais, and Steed Malbranque with Lyon. With the mercato still open for another five weeks, who will we see return to their first club next?

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