Milan Loans Zachary Athekame to Olympique Lyonnais
Milan has finalized a loan agreement for Zachary Athekame to join Olympique Lyonnais, according to reports from France, with no provision for a permanent transfer at the end of the arrangement.
Speculation had circulated earlier today in Italian media regarding Athekame being one of the players excluded from the squad following a lackluster pre-season performance under new coach Ruben Amorim.
Athekame’s Performance Not Up to Standard
GENOA, ITALY – MAY 17: Zachary Athekame of Milan (right) celebrates with his team-mate Cheveyo Balentien after scoring a goal during the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and AC Milan at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on May 17, 2026 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)
Shortly after, French transfer specialist Fabrice Hawkins from RMC Sport confirmed that Lyon had come to terms for a straightforward loan arrangement, which means they will have no option to purchase Athekame when the loan expires.
Lyon will pay his entire salary for the duration of this season, after which he will return to Milan in the summer of 2027.
Athekame, a Switzerland international, was acquired just a year ago from Young Boys for €10 million and add-ons, but he faced challenges in making a significant impact with the Rossoneri. During his time at Milan, he appeared in 29 competitive matches, scoring two goals against Pisa and Genoa, along with providing two assists. His contract with Milan is set to run until June 2030.
Milan have agreed the straight loan of Zachary Athekame to Olympique Lyonnais, claim French reports, with no option to make it permanent.
There had already been suggestions today in the Italian media that Athekame was one of the players to be cut from the squad after a disappointing pre-season with new coach Ruben Amorim.
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Athekame did not impress Milan
GENOA, ITALY – MAY 17: Zachary Athekame of Milan (right) celebrates with his team-mate Cheveyo Balentien after scoring a goal during the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and AC Milan at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on May 17, 2026 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)
Just hours later, French transfer pundit Fabrice Hawkins of RMC Sport revealed that Lyon had agreed terms for a dry loan, meaning there is no option to buy at the end of the season.
The Ligue 1 side will cover his full salary during the campaign, but he will then return to San Siro in the summer of 2027.
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Athekame is a Switzerland international who was purchased only a year ago from Young Boys at a cost of €10m plus add-ons, but struggled to make an impact with the Rossoneri.
He made 29 competitive appearances, providing two goals against Pisa and Genoa, plus two assists for his teammates.
His contract with Milan still runs to June 2030.
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