The transfer of the young Brazilian from Coritiba comes a day later after the arrival of Joey Barton at the Velodrome after a few departures earlier this summer
The current table-toppers have signed yet another player inside two days following a dramatic late swoop of the controversial English midfielder, Joey Barton. Lucas Mendes will embark on a Ligue 1 challenge after successfully penning a 4-year deal with the
club.
The details of the deal have not been given, though the 22-year-old has passed his medical with Marseille, according to Marseille’s official website. The player has been signed from Brazilian side Coritiba, and has been on Marseille’s radar for quite some
time.
Mendes has enjoyed enormous success at his former club, Coritiba, having featured in 139 matches in a 4-year spell with the club. It is important to note that Coritiba is the state’s oldest club and has an unmatched history. The club also holds the record
of securing 24 consecutive victories, a feat no Brazilian side has achieved so far.
The club stood 6th last year in the league standings, and to grab a player from such a club, provided with the fact that the player has been such an integral part of the team, is indeed a great coup. Also, it was the desire of the player to play
on a much higher level that the transfer materialised.
The jubilant Brazilian said, “It was my dream to play in Europe and I thank Marseille for giving me the opportunity.” Mendes is a versatile defender who can play as a left-back as well as centre-back for Marseille.
The recent signings at Marseille have come in the backdrop of numerous high-profile departures away from Stade Velodrome. Last season’s 10th place finish in the points table, subsequently snatched the Champions league spot from the 9-time Ligue
1 champions.
Failure to qualify for Europe’s most coveted championship has put the club in grave financial concerns. And the club hierarchy has been very open about it, as they emphatically declared their policy of reducing the debts this summer.
The club has already sold Cesar Azpilicueta, Alou Diarra and Stephane M’bia to Premier League clubs this summer.
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