Kitala: DR Congo forward joins Sochaux from Lyon

Sochaux have announced the signing of Yann Kitala from Ligue 1 side Olympique Lyon.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo forward was offered a three-year deal having passed his medical at the French second division team.

According to Lyon, they received €300k for the deal, with a potential €500k in further bonuses while they have a considerable 35% profit sharing on the capital gain of a possible future transfer.

Kitala would be hoping to start a new life at Montbeliard’s Stade Auguste Bonal upon completing his loan spell at Lorient.

A Clairefontaine academy graduate who played alongside Kylian Mbappe, the Franco-Congolese joined Lyon in July 2013.

He was Lyon’s highest goal scorer in the French fourth tier for the reserve team in the 2018-19 season, scoring 20 goals in 63 matches across all competitions before moving to Lorient on loan without an option to buy.

He made his debut with Lorient in a 2–0 Ligue 2 win over Clermont Foot on 14 September 2019. Overall, he played in 11 league matches and scored two goals.

Following this move, he becomes the 10th African in the Yellow and Blues team after compatriot Salem Mbakata, Mehdi Jeannin (Algeria), Adolphe Teikeu (Cameroon), Ousseynou Thioune (Senegal), Sofiane Daham (Algeria), Thomas Toure (Cote d'Ivoire), Amadou Dia N'Diaye (Senegal), Christophe Diedhiou (Senegal) and Abdoulaye Sane (Senegal).

Meanwhile, he took to social media to appreciate Lyon for all they have done for him while expressing his desire to start his new adventure as soon as possible.

“My heart club engraved for life. Thank you for everything,”

“New challenge. Very impatient to start the season and very proud to join Sochaux.

Sochaux was far from getting a promotion ticket to the French elite division having finished 14th in Ligue 2 last term with 34 points from 28 appearances.

Kitala played for Congo U20 in a friendly against England U20 on October 7, 2015, and is eligible to represent the country’s senior national team.

Cameroon will host the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations, and should he prove his worth with his new French team, he could get an invite to the competition as the Leopards eye their third African diadem.