By Patrick Akoto
Defender John Mensah says he left Lyon à based purely on a footballing reason.
The Ghana captain terminated his contract with the French giants after playing only once last season due to a niggling back problem.
The 29-year-old who has since recovered says his decision to end his four-year stints with the club was made out of footballing reasons.
ââ¬ÅI had a serious talk with the team manager. I spoke with the manager first before I consulted the President,â⬠Mensah told Kumasi-based Fox FM
ââ¬ÅThe manager told me they wanted me to play regularly. But they were disappointed that I was always sidelined by injuries.
ââ¬ÅThey bought me for a huge prize and after we failed to qualify to the Champions League, they were really mad.
ââ¬ÅThey told me it wasnââ¬â¢t my fault but the truth of the matter was that they didnââ¬â¢t really get the chance to use me as expected.
ââ¬ÅSo they asked me to make a decision to either stay or cancel my contract.
ââ¬ÅThere are a number of teams that want to sign me and so I opted to leave the club.ââ¬
The injury-prone defender joined Lyon for a fee of 8 million Euros in 2008.