Lille OSC through their official X account confirmed the departure of midfielder Andre Gomes, who has joined Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer following a mutual agreement to terminate his contract. Softfootball reports.
They announced:
By mutual agreement, André Gomes has recently joined Columbus Crew. We wish André all the best for the rest of his career and would like to thank him for his exemplary conduct throughout his time at LOSC
Earlier this year, Lille endured a difficult moment when Paris Saint-Germain eased to a convincing 3–0 victory over the French side, a result that highlighted the competitive challenges the club has faced in the Ligue 1 campaign.
The announcement of Gomes’ departure was accompanied by an emotional photo showing the Portuguese midfielder embracing teammate Ismaïla Mandi on the pitch, symbolizing the strong relationships he built during his time at the club. The 32-year-old initially joined Lille on loan in 2022 before completing a permanent transfer in 2024 after impressing during his first spell.
However, limited playing time this season saw the former FC Barcelona and Everton FC midfielder make only 15 league appearances, prompting both parties to agree on an early contract termination.
Gomes has now signed with Columbus Crew on a contract running until June 2027, with an option for a further extension, offering him a fresh opportunity to revive his career in the United States.
In other news, former England international Ashley Cole has been appointed head coach of Cesena FC in Italy’s Serie B.