The 'prank' transfer only happens in Ligue 1

Lyon activated a special rule to sign Dutch defender Hans Hateboer from Stade Rennais.

Hateboer changed clubs even though the transfer window had closed.

According to the announcement from Lyon, the 31-year-old player will arrive at Groupama Stadium on loan until the end of the season. The Rhone team will pay all of his salary during the contract period.

The deal took place after the transfer window closed. However, Lyon did not break the rules. In Ligue 1, each club is allowed to trigger a "prank" deal during the season, which is to recruit any player, as long as he is a free agent or plays for a club in France's top flight.

Lyon's management are preparing to strengthen their defense, which is facing serious personnel difficulties. With Clinton Mata (Angola) and Moussa Niakhaté (Senegal) about to leave for the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) in December, Lyon is forced to look for experienced reinforcements to maintain stability at the back. Hateboer, who can play well at both center-back and right-back, is considered a suitable choice.

A former Atalanta mainstay and a seasoned Serie A player, Hateboer brings solidity and battle-hardened confidence to Lyon. However, he will need time to regain his form, having only played 21 minutes in the 2025/26 season for Rennes and is no longer in coach Habib Beye’s plans.

Source: https://znews.vn/vu-chuyen-nhuong-choi-kham-chi-co-o-ligue-1-post1594794.html