Olympique Lyonnais, in its approach to sports reconstruction for the coming years, inevitably turns to its training centre. Despite a recent period of limited production of professional players, the Academy remains a valuable resource to optimize the club’s finances. Coach Paulo Fonseca has integrated several young talents from the 2004 and 2007 promotions, including Alejandro Gomes Rodriguez, into the team since the last Monday. This strategy raises the question of Léo Bamballi, a defender who could have stayed in Lyon but preferred another path.

The young defender chose to sign his first professional contract with Juventus Turin, a formal decision last Friday after persistent rumours. Bamballi, born in Dijon, had joined the Lyon Academy in 2019. He opted for the Turin project to launch his career at the age of 17, following in the footsteps of Pierre Kalulu, also passed through Lyon and today’s Juventus player. His contract with the Old Lady extended until June 2028.

However, Léo Bamballi will have to wait before becoming fully part of the Juventus professional group. He will start his career with the reserve teams and the U20 of the Juventus, thus offering him a period of adaptation and development before eventually joining the main staff under the direction of Igor Tudor. This decision demonstrates the young player’s willingness to continue his progress in a competitive environment and to seize a career opportunity at a young age.

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