Abedi Pele and Other Ghanaians to Play for Olympique Lyon as Nuamah Joins French Giants

• Ernest Nuamah has become the latest Ghanaian to join Olympique Lyonnais
• The teen sensation is the fourth Ghanaian player to join Lyon
• Michael Essien played for Lyon between 2003 and 2005

Olympique Lyonnnais has been one of the favourite destinations of African players and Ghanaian footballers in particular, with Michael Essien being the biggest star from the West African nation to play for the French giants.

Ghanaian teen sensation, Ernest Nuamah has become the latest to join the Ligue 1 side after sealing a record-breaking transfer from FC Nordsjaelland in Denmark.

Before Nuamah's move to Lyon, Abedi Pele was the first Black Stars player to play for the French club.

Later on, Essien joined from Bastia in 2003, becoming a household name in French football and helping Lyon win back-to-back Ligue 1 titles before John Mensah joined as the third Ghanaian to play for the club, as reported by ol.fr.

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Abedi Pele's time at Lyon

Abedi Pele, arguably the greatest Ghanaian player of all time, joined Lyon after leaving Olympique Marseille, the club he helped win the UEFA Champions League in 1993. He spent a season at Lyon, but made an impact, scoring three goals in 29 matches.

Having established himself in Ligue 1 and winning the African Player of the Year from 1990 to 1993, Abedi Pele decided to leave France for Italy, joining Torino in 1994.

Michael Essien at Lyon

Essien spent only two seasons as Lyon, but it was nothing short of a success. The Ghanaian legend, alongside African stars like Mohammadou Diarra, propelled the French club to the next level, consistently making the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League.

In two seasons, Essien won the Ligue 1 twice, and the Trophes des Champions twice. He was also named the Ligue 1 Player of the Year in the 2004/05 season, earning him a record-breaking move to Chelsea, as reported by sportsmole.co.uk.

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Essien is revered and considered a legend at Olympique Lyonnais.

John Mensah at Olympique Lyon

Based on Essien's recommendation, Lyon signed Ghanaian centre-back John Mensah in 2008 from rivals Stade Rennais. It was a rollercoaster stint for Mensah, who endured injury problems during the early days of his career at Lyon.

However, as the years passed by, he became an integral part of the team, playing alongside Karim Benzema for a season.

Nuamah completes move to Lyon

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that highly-rated Ghanaian youngster, Ernest Nuamah has joined Olympique Lyonnais in the summer transfer window from Danish club FC Nordsjaelland.

The 19-year-old signed a deal reportedly worth a €25m fixed fee plus €5m add-ons, making him the club's most expensive signing.

Nuamah also becomes the most expensive transfer from the Danish league, breaking the record set by compatriot Kamaldeen Sulemena following his move to Stade Rennais in 2021.