Former Arsenal and Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette has officially joined Saudi Pro League newcomers NEOM S.C. on a two-year deal, marking a bold new chapter in his distinguished career.
The 34-year-old French international signed as a free agent following the expiration of his contract with Olympique Lyonnais on June 30. Lacazette now links up with the ambitious Saudi side, which is backed by the kingdom’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and preparing for its debut season in the top flight.
Lacazette departs Lyon as a club icon, having scored 201 goals in 391 appearances across two spells. A former Ligue 1 Player of the Year (2014/15), he leaves behind a legacy that firmly established him as one of the club’s greatest-ever players. His move to NEOM S.C. also reunites him with ex-Lyon teammate Saïd Benrahma, who joined the club earlier this year.
Previously known as Al-Suqoor Club before a major rebrand in 2023, NEOM S.C. has enjoyed back-to-back promotions and is now making headlines with high-profile signings. Alongside Lacazette, the club has also added Ivorian midfielder Amadou Koné from Stade de Reims as part of an aggressive recruitment drive aimed at establishing themselves among Saudi Arabia’s elite.
NEOM S.C. confirmed Lacazette’s arrival with a statement on social media that read: “From the cradle of heritage in Lyon to the frontier of the future at NEOM S.C. Sharpshooter Alexandre Lacazette has arrived.”
Based in the futuristic city of NEOM in northwest Saudi Arabia, the club is managed by Brazilian coach Péricles Chamusca and continues to pursue additional European talent, with reported interest in Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey and Nice goalkeeper Marcin Bulka.
Lacazette’s career in England saw him spend five seasons at Arsenal between 2017 and 2022, where he scored 54 goals in 158 Premier League appearances and lifted the FA Cup in 2020. After returning to Lyon in 2022, he enjoyed a strong campaign, netting 15 Ligue 1 goals last season, enough to place him among the division’s top scorers despite Lyon’s relegation to Ligue 2 and ongoing financial turmoil.
In a farewell post shared via Instagram, Lacazette reflected on his departure from Lyon: “It is never easy to find the right words to say goodbye to the club that shaped me, not only as a player but as a person.”
NEOM S.C.’s ambition mirrors Saudi Arabia’s wider goal of transforming its domestic football landscape. With plans for a 46,000-capacity stadium by 2033 and increasing investment in marquee players, the club hopes to compete with Pro League heavyweights such as Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr. Their intent was underlined by Al-Hilal’s dramatic 4-3 win over Manchester City in the 2025 Club World Cup, a result that highlighted the league’s growing competitiveness on the global stage.
