Lyon's latest signing Jimmy Briand intends to show his new club his 'warrior spirit' after joining from Rennes.
Striker ready to fight for Lyon cause
Lyon's latest signing Jimmy Briand intends to show his new club his 'warrior spirit' after joining from Rennes.
The 24-year-old striker brought months of speculation to an end as he put pen to paper on a four-year deal at the Stade Gerland for a reported 6million euros.
Briand, who was absent for the majority of last season through injury, has been linked with a move away from the Route de Lorient for the past two years and he admitted he was weighing up the chance to join Ligue 1 champions Marseille.
But Lyon boss Claude Puel managed to convince the France international otherwise, and the talented forward insists he is delighted to join up with the UEFA Champions League semi-finalists.
"I felt that everyone here really wanted me," said Briand, who came close to making France's World Cup party before being cut from Raymond Domenech's 23-man squad.
"It's true that I hesitated a bit because I am at a turning point in my career, but Lyon was my number one choice.
"It's a great joy to find myself at Lyon. They are the biggest French team. Lyon are still the club of the noughties. I am here to help them regain the title."
Briand insists he will thrive on the expectation that will come his way after moving to one of France's top clubs.
He added: "More pressure? That doesn't bother me. It's what I need to continue to progress. I want to grow after Rennes.
"I will continue to play with my spirit of a warrior. I will do everything to score a lot of goals and give you (the fans) joy."
