At € 3 million, OL offers a promising defender at low cost: Ruben Kluivert, a famous name and serious profile, is committed for five years in Lyon.
While Olympique Lyonnais begins a transfer window under constraints, the recruitment of Ruben Kluivert appears as a malignant operation. For barely 3 million euros,
The Rhone club is attached to the services of a high potential defenderin a period marked by budgetary austerity and the consequences of a nearby passage in Ligue 2.. In search of reliable and evolving profiles, OL is trying here a reasoned bet. And behind this well -known name of European football, hides a more complete player than it seems.
1. The third Kluivert to put down his suitcases in France
The name sounds familiar. Ruben Kluivert, 24, is the youngest son of Patrick, icon of the 90s with Barça and ex-leader of PSG (2016-2017). He is also the half-brother of Justin Kluivert, seen in Nice during the 2021-2022 season. With his arrival in Lyon, Ruben becomes the third member of the dynasty to try his luck in France, thus extending a family history well known to the followers of Ligue 1.
2. A course formed at the Dutch school … before Portuguese exile
Pure product of Dutch football, Kluivert was trained at AFC and then in Utrecht, where he made his debut with the reserve (Jong Utrecht, 52 games, 2 goals). In May 2022, he discovered Eredivisia, but it was in 2023, at FC Dordrecht, that he was relaunching with 20 appearances. His progression then leads him to Casa Pia in Portugal, where he won this season with 21 starts in Primeira Liga. A coherent course without shortened.
Ruben Kluivert: Costaud in duels, precise in recovery, the key man to lock the defense of OL.
3. XXL profile: 1.87 m, clean and strong reminder in the cover
With its 1.87 m, Ruben Kluivert presents a conventional stopper template, but his speed and his reading of the game make him a modern defender. Praised by José Fonte for his ability to attack the space, he displays promising statistics: 63 % of air duels won, 79 % of successful passes, a goal scored for 0.6 xg. What to seduce a coach who seeks to start again from the back.
4. A “clever” blow: barely € 3 million for a contract until 2030
With an estimated market value at € 700,000 per transfermarkt, Kluivert is a real market opportunity. Thanks to the delicate financial situation of Casa Pia, OL was able to negotiate a transfer to € 3 million, accompanied by a long -term contract until 2030. Rare and precious anticipation in modern football, validated upstream by Paulo Fonseca via the positive feedback from José Fonte.
5. Why he sticks to the Fonseca / Gerlinger project
In the new tactical architecture thought by Paulo Fonseca, Kluivert sticks perfectly: Complement of Clinton Mata or Caleta-Car, good in revival, disciplined and capable of playing in a high defense. Bilingual English-Dutchy, he already has bases in French thanks to his brother Justin. His Ajax profile, both technical and disciplined, corresponds to the expectations of an OL in transition.
Conclusion :
In a period when OL must juggle between sporting ambitions and economic rigor, Ruben Kluivert embodies the malignant profile par excellence. No flashy stars this summer, but reasoned bets, with high potential. Ruben arrives in Lyon to write his own chapter, and perhaps prove that a famous name can also be illustrated in the shadows … by locking the defense. In short, OL may no longer have oil, but it still has ideas.
