Sherdan Shaqiri completes Lyon move from Liverpool

Swiss midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri has completed his move to Lyon from Liverpool on a three-year deal.

Shaqiri, who made 63 appearances for Liverpool, now swaps the Premier League for Ligue 1 following a three-year spell at Anfield that saw him win domestic, European and world honours.

His departure ends a six-year stay in England that also included three years with Stoke City.

Liverpool had rejected Lyon’s initial offer earlier this month, reports suggesting the Reds had described the offer at the time as “ridiculous” but Lyon’s sporting director Juninho Pernambucano and manager Peter Bosz improved the offer to land their marquee signing.

“Olympique Lyonnais is pleased to have finally reached an agreement in principle with Liverpool for the transfer of the Swiss international midfielder, Xherdan Shaqiri,” a statement on Lyon’s website read after confirmation of the move.

Liverpool later confirmed the news, saying: “Xherdan Shaqiri has today completed a permanent transfer to Lyon after three years with Liverpool. Everybody at Liverpool FC thanks Xherdan for his contributions over the past three seasons and wishes him the very best for the rest of his career.”

Shaqiri had sought a move in search of regular game time.

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