France international and former Marseille player Mathieu Valbuena has returned to France after spending just a year in Russia with Dinamo Moscow. The diminutive player has signed for Olympique Lyon on a three-year deal. The chance to play in the Champions league and staying relevant in the France squad are the reasons cited by Valbuena for his move back to Ligue 1.
"I like the project here at Lyon, I don't regret my first year at Dinamo," he said.
"It is true that it was a football aim, with Lyon offering Champions League football, that made an impact on my decision. I am super happy to join them. In a career it is important to win titles. I will bring my experience with humility.
"I hope that we will spend some great times as a team here, I come here with a lot of personal aims. This was the most concrete offer. Lyon have a very good team, with great young talents, which played a role.
"I played in the Champions League with Marseille, Lyon can offer that to me now too. Also, Euro 2016 is very important for me. The French national team, that's my motivation."
Valbuena previously spent eight years with Marseille, with whom he won the Ligue 1 title and three Coupe de la Ligue crowns but he does not think there is any cause for concern by signing for a rival club.
"We know very well that there is rivalry between Marseille and Lyon. That's football," he added.
"What I had at Marseille was extraordinary. Nobody can take that away from me. I have always been a professional. I have never hurt anyone. I know that in football things change. I have no regrets joining Lyon, the opposite.
"This was also a family choice. I didn't hesitate. It is true that I played for Marseille for eight years. Just because I played for Marseille doesn't mean I can't play elsewhere."
