FC Nantes have confirmed the signing of Johann Lepenant (21) from Olympique Lyonnais with the midfielder joining on a year-long loan with the option to buy for an undisclosed figure, which was reportedly thought to be in the region of €2.5 million.
The former SM Caen midfielder is looking to get his career back on the right track following a disruptive injury he suffered while representing the France U21s in a friendly against England last year. Lepenant had fallen out of favour under manager Fabio Grosso and had yet to start a game under Grosso’s replacement Pierre Sage.
Despite game time at his club being limited, his skillset was highly valued by France U21s and Olympic manager Thierry Henry who made him part of the squad that won the silver medal at this year’s Summer Games. Nantes were far from the only club interested, with AJ Auxerre also thought to be in the running for the talented midfielder.
