Ainsley Maitland-Niles joins Lyon as the former Arsenal star is revealed by the Ligue 1 side in a video showcasing French cuisine
- Ainsley Maitland-Niles has signed a four-year contract with Ligue 1 side Lyon
- The former Arsenal star is moving to France for free after his contract expired
- Lyon unveiled their new star in a video montage about French cuisine
Ainsley Maitland-Niles has been unveiled as a new Olympique Lyon player after agreeing a deal to join the Ligue 1 giants.
The 25-year-old is a product of Arsenal’s youth system, but left The Gunners as a free agent after the club decided not to renew his contract at the end of the season.
Mail Sport revealed talks were underway between the player and the French side, with Lyon confirming their hiring and Maitland-Niles signing a four-year contract until 2027.
The attacking full-back joined Southampton on loan last season, making 27 appearances in all competitions as the Saints were relegated to the Championship.
His arrival in France ends a 20-year career in England, where he first climbed through the Emirates academy ranks before cementing his place in the Arsenal first team.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles has been unveiled as a new Olympique Lyon player after joining the French side
A hilarious reveal video shows the new Lyon star sitting down to enjoy English afternoon tea treats
Lyon was eager to mark the Englishman’s arrival in France with a hilarious feature film that showed the differences between the cuisines of the two countries.
Traditional English afternoon tea is a staple in England with cake, biscuits and a good cuppa, one of the country’s most famous treats.
Maitland-Niles will undoubtedly have tried the luxury of a sweet tooth during his time in England, but is already being introduced to a French version by his new club.
Lyon wasted no time in giving their latest signing a taste of France as they originally started the video by showcasing a classic England selection.
Notable inclusions include a packet of Walker’s shortbread, cupcakes, English tea bags, and a decorative mug emblazoned with the face of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Maitland-Niles is originally given a classic English mug depicting Queen Elizabeth II (left) before exchanging it for a club cup (right)
Maitland-Niles ends his 20-year stay in England after deciding to go to Lyon
Maitland-Niles sits down in a luxurious setting as the English national anthem plays over the video before a waiter approaches.
The former FA Cup winner explains that he thinks the selection is ‘great’, but ‘would like to try the Lyon version’.
DJ music then blasts out with all previous English dishes swapped for their French alternatives with a jam tart, an item resembling spearmint chocolate and a Lyon mug brought into focus.
Maitland-Niles then takes a sip from the mug before looking into the camera and says in a rare bit of footballer-actor moment, “I really like the English afternoon tea.” But I already love Lyonaisse’s, it’s OL time.’
(TagsToTranslate)dailymail