[인터풋볼] Reporter Shin In-seop = Samuel Umtiti shed tears at the US Lecce welcome ceremony.
On the 25th (Korean time), US Lecce said, “Umtiti has become a Lecce player. He is on loan for one season.”
French national Umtiti spent his youth at the Olympique Lyon. He made his professional debut in the 2011-12 season. Umtiti gained experience by switching between starting and subs every season, and since the 2014-15 season, he has established himself as the team’s core defender. Umtiti played 169 games in Lyon alone, and was evaluated as a player who will lead the next generation of France’s defense.
Barcelona took an interest in this performance and brought him in the summer of 2016 for 25 million euros. Umtiti formed a defensive line with Gerard Pique and Javier Mascherano and played more than 2,000 minutes in two consecutive seasons.
But injuries caught up with him. Umtiti suffered major and minor injuries every season and had a hard time maintaining normal condition. As a result, he played fewer games and stayed on the bench more often.
In this situation, young players newly joined the team came up. In particular, Xavi Hernandez gave great confidence to Ronald Arauho, and Umtiti was reduced to Gyeryuk. In the end, Umtiti made just one appearance in La Liga last season.
has become subject to disposal. Barcelona had to send some of their existing players off to sign up for Jules Kunde, who they signed this summer. Umtiti was also listed as a target for release. In the end, Umtiti left Lecce on a one-season loan. Lecce won Serie B last season and was promoted to Serie A this season.
Umtiti arrived in Lecce on the night of the 25th. Lecce fans held a grand welcome ceremony for Umtiti’s transfer. While Umtiti was conducting an interview with reporters, fans sang cheering songs to welcome Umtiti’s transfer. British ‘Give Me Sports’ explained the situation, “Umtiti was so happy that she actually shed a few tears. Perhaps the main reason was that she was emotional when she was welcomed by the hero from Lecce fans.”
Photo = Give Me Sports