Mathieu Bastareaud posts his Lyon exit message on social media

Former France midfielder Mathieu Bastareaud has taken to social media to confirm that he will leave Lyon at the end of the current season. Currently still recovering from the quadricep tendon rupture to both knees sustained in November against his former club Toulon, the 33-year-old has announced he will exit the recently crowned Challenge Cup champions. 

Writing on Instagram, he said: “At the end of the season, it will be time for me to say goodbye to Lyon. I wanted to thank the club, the staff, my teammates and the supporters for their warm welcome and especially their support in the difficult times that I have known during these three years.

“I wish the club the best for the future. See you soon.”

Lyon soon replied on Twitter: “After three years at LOU Rugby (20 games, three tries), Mathieu Bastareaud will leave Lyon at the end of this 21/22 season. Thank you for your professionalism, your commitment and your generosity!”

Capped 54 times by France, the career of Bastareaud has been more stop than start in recent years. After failing to make the French squad for the 2019 World Cup, he spent a few months at Lyon as a medical joker before heading to Rugby United New York for the 2020 MLR season in America.

However, the pandemic cut short that adventure and he agreed to return to Lyon on a two-year deal that will now expire. In all twelve games he started since coming back from the USA, he played at No8 after converting from his more familiar position at centre. 

Having previously played eight seasons at Toulon, Bastareaud is expected to now return to the Var region to either rejoin his old club or else hook up with Hyeres, the club chasing promotion to Pro D2 from the Federale 1.