Olympique Lyonnais have confirmed they will not be exercising their option to purchase Adam Karabec from Sparta Prague, bringing an end to the winger’s loan spell with the French club. The decision, first reported by L’Équipe in April, means the 22-year-old will return to the Czech Republic ahead of the upcoming season. The option to buy was set at €3.5 million, with potential bonuses reaching €800,000, following a season-long loan that cost Lyon €300,000.
Karabec initially made a positive impression upon arriving at Lyon, establishing himself in the starting lineup from August to November. However, his playing time diminished as the season progressed under manager Paulo Fonseca. The Czech international struggled to consistently impact games, scoring just one goal in 21 Ligue 1 appearances – a strike against Metz in August. Overall, he registered three goals and three assists in 34 matches across all competitions for Lyon.
Karabec announced his departure from the club via an Instagram post on Tuesday, expressing gratitude to Lyon for the opportunity. He has also featured five times for the Czech Republic national team, scoring twice. The winger joined Sparta Prague’s academy in 2012 and progressed through their youth ranks before making his senior debut in 2019.
The decision not to pursue a permanent deal for Karabec suggests Lyon are looking for a more impactful attacking option as they aim to improve their league position next season. While he showed flashes of potential, his lack of consistent goal contributions ultimately proved insufficient to warrant the investment. Karabec’s return to Sparta Prague provides the Czech club with a familiar face and a potentially valuable asset as they prepare for their own domestic and European campaigns.
