Lyon signs Cluver Sambi Mbungu, 17, ahead of PSG and Bundesliga clubs

Olympique Lyonnais officially announced on Thursday the signing of Cluver Sambi Mbungu, a 17-year-old midfielder from Stade Malherbe Caen, on a three-year contract. The player, born in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, chose Lyon over PSG, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig, who were also closely following him.

OL is pleased to have convinced one of the most sought-after young talents in Congolese football to sign his first professional contract in the capital of Gaul. “Considered one of the promising young talents in Congolese football, Cluver Sambi Mbungu chose to sign his first professional contract with Olympique Lyonnais despite numerous approaches,” the club said in its official statement.

On the pitch, the midfielder had a promising season with Caen’s reserve team, scoring three goals in 19 National 3 matches. Performances strong enough to attract the attention of several major European clubs and trigger genuine competition in the youth market.

At Lyon, Sambi Mbungu will initially join the Pro2 group, the reserve team managed by Gueïda Fofana, before hoping to climb the ranks at a club that has made youth development one of its strategic priorities.