Olympique Lyon, currently facing financial limitations that prevent them from making signings during the winter transfer window, has successfully secured a six-month loan deal for Argentine midfielder Thiago Almada. The 23-year-old, who was part of Argentina's victorious 2022 World Cup squad, joins the French club from Brazil's Botafogo.
The loan deal, which lasts until June 2025, comes despite Lyon's inability to conduct permanent transfers due to their financial situation. While Lyon has not confirmed whether the loan is free of charge, French newspaper L'Équipe has reported that it is. The deal has reportedly been approved by the financial regulatory body overseeing French clubs.
Almada's career trajectory has been impressive. He began his professional journey at Vélez Sarsfield in Argentina at the age of 17, where he played 100 matches, scoring 23 goals and providing 24 assists over four seasons. In 2022, he moved to the United States to play for Atlanta United, where he amassed 26 goals and 24 assists in 80 games between 2022 and 2024.
After representing Argentina in the 2024 Olympic Games, Almada joined Botafogo in Rio de Janeiro. His time at the Brazilian club culminated in winning the Copa Libertadores, with Botafogo defeating Atletico Mineiro 3-1 in the final held in Buenos Aires.
Almada has also been a key player for the Argentine national team, with six international appearances and two goals. As part of Lionel Scaloni's squad, he played an integral role in securing Argentina’s third World Cup title in Qatar in 2022, defeating France in the final.
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