In a statement released on Wednesday afternoon on its official website, Olympique Lyonnais announced the arrival of center-forward Mama Baldé. The Guinean Bissauan arrives on a one-year paid loan.
“Olympique Lyonnais announces the arrival on loan of Guinean Bissauan forward Mama Baldé from Troyes, until June 30, 2024. This paid loan amounting to €2 million is accompanied by a purchase option of €6 million, which could be supplemented by a bonus of €500,000 as well as a 10% share in a potential capital gain upon resale,” wrote OL in its publication.
This marks the sixth recruit for the Rhodanian team this summer, following Clinton Mata, Skelly Alvero, Duje Caleta-Car, Jake O’Brien, and Ainsley Maitland-Niles. Baldé arrives from Troyes, which was relegated to Ligue 2, where he found the net 12 times in 34 matches last season.
Who is Mama Baldé? Born in 1995 in Guinea-Bissau, Mama Baldé started his football journey early in Portugal after moving to the country. He began his career with RD Algueirão club. After a spell at SU Sintrense, he joined the Sporting Portugal academy at the age of 18, and later moved to the reserve team of the Lisbon-based club.
During his loan spell at Desportivo Aves, the Guinea-Bissauan striker won the Portuguese Cup in 2018 before joining the French league and Dijon club in 2019, where he signed for three seasons. In the same year, he earned a call-up to the national team and played in 57 matches for the team before joining Troyes in the summer of 2021.
Known for his strength and versatility, Mama Baldé has showcased his skills across the forward line. He has recorded two solid seasons in Ligue 1 with ESTAC, playing 64 matches and scoring 15 goals, including 12 during the 2022/2023 season. With 20 national team selections under his belt, Mama Baldé becomes the first player from Guinea-Bissau to don the colors of Olympique Lyonnais.
