RC Lens has officially announced the acquisition of 21-year-old central defender Samson Baidoo from Austrian champions Red Bull Salzburg. According to information from French sports daily L’Équipe, the Ligue 1 club successfully secured the €8 million deal, which includes various bonuses, effectively fending off competition from several English Premier League teams for the promising Austrian defender’s signature. Baidoo has committed to a substantial five-year contract with Lens and is set to prominently wear the No. 6 jersey for his new club.
Baidoo`s signing was designated a top priority for Lens, as the club was actively seeking to reinforce its defensive line following the departures of Abdukodir Khusanov and Kevin Danso during the recent winter transfer window. His arrival is expected to significantly bolster the squad`s options at centre-back.
Reports indicate that a current Tottenham Hotspur centre-back played a significant role in persuading Baidoo to make the move to Lens. The Austrian international reportedly informed his compatriot about how “Les Sang et Or” (Lens` nickname, meaning “The Blood and Gold”) prioritizes player development and the unique, supportive culture that defines the club and its fan base.
Lens Sporting Director Jean-Louis Leca commented on the new signing, expressing his satisfaction: “Samson is a player our recruitment team has been monitoring for quite some time. He was our top priority to reinforce our defense, and during discussions, the interest was clearly mutual. Samson possesses excellent physical attributes and a defensive discipline highly developed for his age, making him a valuable addition to our squad.”
