Matt Turner Signs with Lyon for €8 Million Following Crystal Palace Loan

LYON, France — Lyon has reached an agreement to sign U.S. men’s national team goalkeeper Matt Turner from Nottingham Forest for a fee of €8 million (£6.74 million). The 30-year-old player, who recently spent the 2024-25 season on loan at Crystal Palace, is set to join Lyon as they look to stabilize their goalkeeper position.

Turner’s move comes after a successful loan at Crystal Palace, where he contributed to the team’s first-ever FA Cup victory in May. He made four appearances in his loan spell, showcasing his skills at a crucial moment for the club. The decision to transfer reflects Turner’s desire for more consistent playing time, something he hopes to find in France.

Before his brief stint at Palace, Turner spent one season with Nottingham Forest, making 21 appearances. He joined Forest after playing for Arsenal, where he served primarily as a backup goalkeeper. Turner first made a name for himself with the New England Revolution in Major League Soccer, earning 51 caps for the U.S. national team, including appearances at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Lyon finished sixth in Ligue 1 last season and secured a spot in the upcoming UEFA Europa League. With financial challenges and an audit threatening the club’s stability, acquiring a goalkeeper of Turner’s caliber will be vital as they seek to reinforce their roster. As Lyon’s current number one, Lucas Perri, is likely to depart this summer, Turner might step into a starting role quickly.

The club’s president, John Textor, remains optimistic about the team’s financial situation despite recent setbacks, and his confidence could be bolstered by Turner’s presence in goal. As Lyon gears up for the new season, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Turner adapts to his new club and if he can help steer the team back into the upper echelons of French football.