Stephane Diarra has stated he rejected interest from Premier League clubs Leicester City and Newcastle United as well as Lille, Monaco and Marseille to join newly-promoted Ligue 1 side Lorient.
The 21-year-old completed his move to the Stade du Moustoir this week from Ligue2 club Le Mans after he had a successful medical examination.
The forward revealed his dream to play in the French top-flight and the club’s director Christophe Le Rouxas well as manager Christophe Pelissier influenced his decision.
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“Many clubs have contacted me, such as the English clubs in Newcastle and Leicester, but also French teams with Lille, Monaco or Marseille,” Diarra told Ouest-France.