OGC Nice has officially announced the arrival of Axel Witsel, a free agent following his departure from Girona. At 37 years old, the Belgian midfielder has signed for one season, with a second year in option.
Witsel therefore arrives without a transfer fee and could quickly be integrated into the Nice squad. The Gym hosts Lorient on 22 August for the first matchday of Ligue 1.
The Witsel card
The Belgian has 140 caps and 12 goals with the Red Devils, making him the second most-capped player in the history of the Belgian national team, behind Jan Vertonghen.
Last season, Witsel played 32 matches with Girona across all competitions, mainly in a defensive role or in midfield.
His experience and versatility represent an important boost for Nice, which notably has to deal with the injury of Laurent Abergel, who suffered a serious knee injury during preseason.
Witsel was quickly won over by the Nice project and brings his experience as an international, as well as that of a player who has played for Benfica, Zenit Saint Petersburg, Borussia Dortmund, Atlético Madrid and Girona.
A still-active transfer window
Nice has also officially announced the arrival of Nathan Ngoumou, signed permanently from Borussia Mönchengladbach. The 26-year-old winger, trained at Toulouse, brings speed and versatility to Nice's attacking line.
The Gym is also working on the Elye Wahi deal. After a successful loan spell on the Côte d'Azur during the second half of last season, the forward is once again being targeted by Nice. The club reportedly wants a new loan deal, but Frankfurt would prefer a permanent transfer. The matter therefore remains open.
On the departures side, Nice is also looking to find a solution for three players excluded from the professional squad:
- Terem Moffi
- Kevin Carlos
- Salis Abdul Samed
With Witsel and Ngoumou, Nice continues to reshape its squad just days before the start of its Ligue 1 season.
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