Umtiti wants to "rediscover the pleasure of playing soccer" with Lecce

On loan to Lecce this season, Samuel Umtiti would like to finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. The French international (31 caps, 4 goals) played just one La Liga match last season. And he's just coming off several injury-plagued years since winning the World Cup with Les Bleus in 2018 (only 49 matches played). The 28-year-old central defender has joined the Serie A outfit to "rediscover the pleasure of playing soccer".

"I've just come through some complicated, very complicated years. I want to get back to enjoying soccer," the former Lyon man told Sky Sport. I just want to play soccer, talk soccer, eat soccer, that's what motivates me. I hope we'll have a good season with Lecce," he stressed after being welcomed by jubilant fans on Thursday evening, just hours after the announcement of his loan until June 2023.

"I'm looking for a lot of peace and quiet and humble people to be able to work in peace.

"I knew straight away that this was the club for me, and they found the right words. I'm looking for a lot of tranquillity and humble people to be able to work with peace of mind," added Umtiti, who is under contract with the Catalan club until 2026.

published August 26, 2022 at 7:30 pm