Nantes to sign Lens left-back Deiver Machado as a ‘joker’ transfer | OneFootball

Nantes have seemingly wrapped up the signing of Lens left-back Deiver Machado (32), according to a report from Ouest-France. Machado is expected to sign a two-and-a-half year deal with Les Canaris. Machado was in search of playing time with the Artois side as Lens have signed Matthieu Udol from promoted Ligue 1 side FC Metz this summer.

The outlet adds that Nantes have reached an agreement with Lens this Wednesday over a €500k transfer package to sign Machado as a “joker” transfer. A “joker” allows French clubs to sign one player outside of the window on the condition that they are either a free agent or play for another French club. 

Machado will offer welcome experience to a struggling Nantes side, which was in dire need of a left-back as Wolfsburg loanee Nicolas Cozza continues to disappoint. Nantes head coach Luis Castro even opted to field midfielder Louis Leroux on the defensive’s left channel. Machado had entered the last months of his contract with Lens. The Ligue 1 leaders will coincidentally play Nantes on Sunday, but Machado won’t feature.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval