Transfer news: Evian sign forward Gianni Bruno from fellow French side Lille on a four-year deal
Wednesday 30 July 2014 14:39, UK
Gianni Bruno has joined Evian from Lille for an undisclosed fee and signed a four-year deal.
The 22-year-old Belgian forward, who came through Lille's academy, has decided to seek first-team football elsewhere after finding opportunities limited at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
He spent last season on loan at Bastia, scoring eight goals in 31 appearances, but has only managed to play 23 times for Lille since 2011, scoring one goal.
Bruno, who has represented Belgium throughout the youth ranks, explained that Evian boss Pascal Dupraz was one of the main reasons he decided to make the switch to the Parc des Sports.
"What the coach had to say convinced me," he told www.etgfc.com.
"I think the club's values correspond with mine. This is a club that is growing, the facilities are great and the guys have been welcoming.
"I signed for four years because I feel that the club have faith in me."
Bruno becomes the sixth new arrival at Evian, with Dupraz already bringing in Benjamin Leroy, Nicki Bille Nielsen and Jesper Juelsgaard, while Fabien Camus and Youssouf Sabaly have also joined on loan from Genk and Paris St Germain respectively.
Dupraz is aiming to better last season's 14th-placed finish in the forthcoming campaign, which sees Evian face Caen at home in their Ligue 1 curtain-raiser on August 9.
