French forward Alan Virginius, aged 22, has officially finalized his move from French Ligue 1 club LOSC Lille to Swiss Super League champions BSC Young Boys. The transfer confirms the player`s desire for a fresh start and a permanent home after a period of transition.
According to reports, the deal sees Young Boys acquire Virginius for a transfer fee understood to be in the region of €2.5 million. Additionally, Lille have secured a 17.5% sell-on clause, providing them with a potential future financial benefit should the player be transferred again down the line.
Virginius initially joined Lille in August 2022 from FC Sochaux-Montbéliard, where he had shown considerable promise, making 50 appearances and netting eight goals. The move to the top flight was anticipated as a significant step in his development. However, his time at the Decathlon Arena proved challenging. Despite being a young talent with pedigree, the forward struggled to consistently break into the first team or find a role that allowed him to flourish.
Seeking regular playing time to aid his development, Virginius spent the latter part of the 2023-24 season on loan. While he had a spell at Clermont Foot 63, it was his temporary move to BSC Young Boys that appeared to reignite his form and provide the platform he needed. During his time on loan with the Swiss side, he made 44 appearances across all competitions, contributing seven goals and four assists. Notably, he also gained valuable experience featuring in eight UEFA Champions League matches, a significant step up in competition.
This successful loan spell evidently convinced Young Boys of his potential and suitability for their squad, leading to the decision to make the transfer permanent. For Virginius, who has represented France at various youth levels up to the U21s, the move represents an opportunity to secure consistent first-team football away from the pressures and complexities he faced at Lille. Joining the dominant club in Switzerland, a side regularly competing in European competitions, offers him a stable environment to continue his progression.
The permanent transfer brings closure to his chapter at Lille and opens a new one in Bern. Both the player and BSC Young Boys will be hopeful that this move allows Virginius to build on his promising loan period and fulfill the potential he displayed earlier in his career.
