Lyon officially announced the signing of Japanese international Keito Nakamura on a four-year contract.

Lyon officially announced on Thursday that they have signed 26-year-old Japanese left-winger Keito Nakamura from Reims. The two sides signed a four-year contract, valid until June 30, 2030.

Due to financial pressure, Lyon ultimately completed the signing through the "Joker transfer rule" unique to the French professional league. According to the agreement, the deal consisted of a base fee of €1 million and bonuses of €19 million, plus a 12.5% commission on any subsequent transfer.

With the completion of his transfer, Keito Nakamura officially became the first Japanese player in Lyon's history. He immediately expressed his joy at joining Lyon in a statement: "I am very happy to join Lyon. Lyon is a great club. I can't wait to wear the new jersey and play a decisive role in the team. Knowing that I am the first Japanese player in Lyon's history means a lot to me. I hope to bring glory to my country in the best way possible."

Keito Nakamura began his professional career at Gamba Osaka in early 2018, and subsequently played for several clubs including Twente, Sint-Truiden, Juniors Upper Austria, and LASK Linz. Since joining Reims in August 2023 for €12 million, he has made 97 appearances in all competitions, scoring 30 goals and providing 7 assists.

At the national team level, Keito Nakamura has made 29 appearances for Japan to date. He has scored 11 goals and provided 4 assists, and has participated in the 2024 AFC Asian Cup and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

For Lyon, the arrival of Keito Nakamura is a timely boon. He is expected to fill the void left by Malik Fofana's move to Sunderland and will wear the number 11 jersey.

Image source: Internet/X