Metz unveil Bouna Sarr, Giorgi Kvilitaia and Lucas Michal to boost survival bid | OneFootball

Metz have presented three late-window arrivals, Bouna Sarr, Giorgi Kvilitaia and Lucas Michal, as they seek to climb off the foot of Ligue 1 and secure safety.

The trio were unveiled at lunchtime on Tuesday, the day after their signings were confirmed, L'Équipe reports. Sarr, 34, a full-back or winger, described an emotional return to his formative club, where he began his senior career in 2015. He will wear number 70 in homage to Robinho, who has since been convicted of gang rape in Brazil.

Sporting director Frédéric Arpinon said Sarr had trained with Metz for three months and the staff wanted to assess him before moving. He added that Sarr’s qualities and experience should help Metz win matches.

Kvilitaia, 32, arrives for at least six months after terminating his contract with Aris Limassol, and has 42 caps and 6 goals for Georgia. He said he watched Metz to follow compatriots Abuachvili and Tsitaichvili, and described himself as a penalty-box forward who can lift the team higher up the pitch and score. Arpinon noted Ibou Sané’s loan to Amiens and said the aim was a profile similar to Habib Diallo, with character and personality.

Michal, 20, a quick attacker who can play wide, joins on loan from Monaco until the end of June. He spoke of impatience to get started, wanting to help collect points and push for survival, and said the squad’s quality meant the league position did not deter him.

Arpinon thanked Michal and his entourage for trusting Metz and said ties built in youth selections and at Paris FC with Romain Jean-Baptiste helped sway the choice over Brest. He called the day complicated despite long-running talks and described Michal as a top opportunity, adding that it shows Metz remain a big club.

Source: L'Équipe