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Los Angeles Football Club made it official on Tuesday, announcing they have transferred captain Laurent Ciman to Ligue 1 club Dijon.
(OFFICIEL) Laurent Ciman rejoint le @DFCO_Officiel pour deux saisons après un accord de principe et sous réserve d'une visite médicale satisfaisante !
— Dijon FCO (@DFCO_Officiel) August 28, 2018
Le communiqué officiel ➡️ https://t.co/MtBQX0OxS2
Bienvenue à toi @LaurentCiman23 !#TeamDFCO @Ligue1Conforama pic.twitter.com/8FNI1PC0O6
Ciman, 33, was in his fourth season in MLS, obviously the first with the expansion LAFC. Named the captain from opening day, the fiery Belgian center back made 22 MLS regular season appearances, all starts, and scored a surprise three goals on the season, all from direct free kicks, including the first ever goal at Banc of California Stadium on April 29.
Merci, Général.#LAFC transfers @LaurentCiman23 to @DFCO_Officiel in Ligue 1.
— LAFC (@LAFC) August 28, 2018
https://t.co/LM9lKuU7iH pic.twitter.com/k8eBjxtcAv
Ciman left a note in English thanking the fans for his time at LAFC, and complimented the club for putting his family’s needs above their own, indicating that his personal life, and most likely care for his daughter, were significant motivations in the move.
Thank you @LAFC @LAFC3252 pic.twitter.com/wMA3Ozkzu9
— Laurent Ciman (@LaurentCiman23) August 28, 2018
For LAFC, they pick up a reported $500,000 transfer fee, which may not seem like a lot, but with Ciman’s contract done at the end of the year, that they got anything at all is significant. Between selling Ciman and Omar Gaber, LAFC have done a combined $1.5 million in business, which while it doesn’t all go straight to LAFC, does help replenish the coffers for the future.
As for what this means for LAFC on the field the rest of the season? Who knows, to be perfectly honest. Stay tuned.
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