Official | Bafétimbi Gomis announces retirement on ‘symoblic’ day

Bafétimbi Gomis (39) has announced his retirement. The former France international (12 appearances, three goals) made the announcement on DAZN during the broadcaster’s coverage of Le Derby between two former clubs, Olympique Lyonnais and AS Saint-Étienne.

Gomis came through the ranks at Saint-Étienne, for whom he made 165 appearances, scoring 49 goals. However, it was for local rivals Lyon that he made the most appearances, featuring 244 times and scoring 95 goals. Over the course of his career, he also played for Olympique de Marseille, whilst he also played 71 games for Swansea City, scoring 17 goals.

He has been without a club since the expiry of his contract at Japanese club Kawasaki Frontale in September. The former France international, given his ties to ASSE and OL, was invited by DAZN to be a special guest for Sunday evening’s Le Derby. 

It was at this moment that Gomis chose to make the announcement. “I have an announcement to make. I wanted to make the most of this evening to announce something – my retirement. I think today is a symbolic day, a unique day between two clubs that saw me grow, that gave me everything,” he said.

He added, “It wasn’t an easy decision. My heart is still there and football will continue to flow through my veins […] I will open up a new chapter in my life but I’ll stay for other projects in football.”

GFFN | Luke Entwistle