Olympique Lyonnais have finalized two transfers ahead of the July 1st window opening, securing the permanent signing of Mads Bidstrup from Red Bull Salzburg for a reported fee of €10.5 million. The club also confirmed the definitive transfer of Noham Kamara for €4 million.
The arrival of Bidstrup, a 25-year-old Danish midfielder, adds depth to Lyon’s midfield options under manager Paulo Fonseca. Bidstrup progressed through the youth ranks at RB Leipzig and Brentford, making his professional debut with the latter, before establishing himself as a key player for Nordsjælland alongside Ernest Nuamah. He subsequently joined the Red Bull system, becoming a regular feature for their Austrian side, where he impressed with his work rate and ball-winning abilities.
While not known for exceptional dribbling skills, Bidstrup is expected to form a strong central midfield partnership with Tyler Morton, who enjoyed a successful campaign last season. Fonseca is reportedly carefully constructing his midfield setup with Bidstrup’s defensive qualities in mind. Lyon are also anticipating further additions to their squad, with Mohamed Oudréaogo, a left-back from SCR Altach, and Julian Duranville expected to join the club.
The signings signal new owner Michelle Kang’s intent to strengthen the squad ahead of the upcoming Champions League campaign, having secured a qualifying spot. Lyon have been navigating financial constraints, similar to their rivals Olympique de Marseille, but Kang’s investment is clearly aimed at building a competitive team. These acquisitions are the first significant moves under the new ownership, and represent a clear effort to bolster the team's midfield ahead of a demanding season. The club will hope Bidstrup can quickly adapt to Ligue 1 and contribute to their European ambitions.
