Former Gunner signs for Saudi Pro League newcomers | OneFootball

Former Gunner Alexandre Lacazette has signed for Saudi Arabian club NEOM S.C., following his departure from Olympique Lyonnais as a free agent.

Photo via NEOMSportsClub on Twitter

Saudi Pro League club NEOM S.C. confirmed the signing of former Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette on Tuesday, with the player joining as a free agent following his departure from Olympique Lyonnais.

Lacazette reportedly passed his medical last week, and his contract with Lyon officially came to an end on June 30th. As a result, he was free to formally join NEOM the following day.

NEOM had already signed one former Lyon player in Said Benrahma, and now they have another.

Photo via NEOMSportsClub on Twitter

NEOM are newcomers to the Saudi Pro League, having been promoted last season. The club were previously known as “Al-Suqoor Club”, but in 2023 they rebranded to NEOM S.C. following a takeover.

Since then, they’ve secured back-to-back promotions, and they’re now preparing for their first spell in the Saudi Arabian top flight.

Backed by Saudi sovereign wealth fund PIF, it’s no surprise that the club are now going on the offensive and gunning for big-name additions to their squad. James Benge reported for CBS Sports this week that the club even plan to rival Arsenal for the signing of Rodrygo from Real Madrid.

Photo by ARNAUD FINISTRE/AFP via Getty Images

Meanwhile, Lacazette’s former club Lyon are in dire circumstances, facing relegation to Ligue 2 due to alleged financial mismanagement. Not all clubs have the financial backing of a state.

Lyon are appealing the decision, but as it stands they also look set to lose out on the European place Lacazette won them with a brace on the final day of the 2024/25 campaign.