In a chic designer jacket, with a gold chain and stylish sunglasses, Jérôme Boateng got off the private plane and began his new adventure in Lyon.

The former German world champion also took his first selfies with fans on the tarmac before he officially presented himself to his new club Olympique Lyon in the French Rhône-Alpes region on Tuesday after passing the medical check.

“I also had other offers, but I made up my mind quickly and I am convinced that I had made a good choice.

I can hardly wait to write a new chapter in my history, ”said the former German national soccer player and former Munich player on Wednesday - in a white shirt and dark blue club jacket, not quite as stylish as the day before.

Boateng, who will be 33 years old this Friday, signed a two-year contract with the French first division club until summer 2023. Boateng will bring his experience to the team of the former Leverkusen Bundesliga coach Peter Bosz.

"I want to help young players find their way to success," said Boateng.

Boateng transfer as a "masterpiece"

Above all, a long conversation with the Dutchman Bosz should have been decisive for Boateng's decision, it said.

Lyon conceded 43 goals in the preseason.

The sports newspaper "L'Équipe" called the transfer a "masterpiece".

Since Boateng's contract with the German record champions FC Bayern Munich expired on June 30, he was allowed to be signed as a clubless player after the transfer deadline in France on Tuesday evening.

So that he could still be registered for the squad, he had to sign in Lyon by Wednesday noon.

In Lyon, Boateng meets his former teammate Xherdan Shaqiri, with whom he played for three years in Munich.

But instead of the Champions League, both of them are looking for an international title in the Europa League this season.

Because the former series champion of France had not qualified for the premier class in the past season as fourth in the league.

Recently Boateng was still training at the FC Bayern training ground on Säbener Strasse, where he had the opportunity to keep fit.

“I haven't played since May, but I've done everything to stay in shape.

I want to be at 100 percent as quickly as possible to be able to help the team, ”said Boateng.

Ten years ago he moved from Manchester City to the Isar, where he helped shape the most successful decade in Bavaria: Boateng won the triple in 2013 and 2020, and has been German champion since 2013.

Flick praises Jérôme Boateng

Even before his definitive end in Munich, the injury-prone Boateng had gone through difficult times in Munich, but fought his way through.

He came through the last season without injury.

“In my condition, I can definitely play at the top level for another two or three years,” Germany's “Footballer of the Year” had said in 2016 even before his move to Lyon.

His coach at the time and current national trainer, Hansi Flick, also highlighted Boateng's special performance in the preseason. Boateng was the most constant central defender in his team and "one of the best central defenders in Germany".