Lyon have extended Nilmar's registration as a non-EU player until the season's end.
Lyon have extended Nilmar's registration as a non-EU player for the rest of the season.The Brazilian youngster, who joined the Ligue 1 champions on a five-year deal in the summer, replaced fellow compatriot Giovane Elber as one of the club's four non-EU players after the former Bayern Munich hit-man was sidelined with a fractured ankle in August.
The 32-year-old has had two operations to try and correct the problem and was not expected to return before the end of this month.
However, with Elber still some way away from being fully fit, Lyon have decided to extend the young South American's registration for the rest of the campaign.
The move is sure to raise further suggestions that Elber may be on his way out of Stade Gerland, with the striker having already been linked with a return to Germany.
Despite the decision, Lyon chairman Jean-Michel Aulas insists Elber will not leave in the transfer window.
"He [Elber] remains one of Olympique Lyon's players," Aulas said. "He is still an employee here, but he will not be allowed to play with the first team.
"The situation is quite tricky, but it doesn't mean that we want to get rid of him.
"As there was no chance that he could recover in time, a decision had to be taken.
"Nilmar will stay with us until the end of the season while Elber will recuperate with our fourth division team."
