OGC Nice have officially confirmed the signing of 19-year-old defender Juma Bah on a loan deal from Manchester City. The Côte d`Azur club secured the acquisition of the Sierra Leone international, reportedly beating out Olympique Lyonnais. A significant factor in Bah`s decision is believed to be the opportunity to potentially play in the UEFA Champions League.
Nice qualified for the Champions League third qualifying round after finishing fourth in Ligue 1 under the management of Franck Haise.
Bah is already familiar with French top-flight football, having spent the latter part of the previous season on loan at RC Lens. That particular loan move was part of the agreement when Manchester City signed centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov from the Artois side.
Nice were actively seeking defensive reinforcements. This necessity arises partly from preparing for a future without their long-serving captain Dante, and also due to serious knee injuries currently affecting centre-backs Youssouf Ndayishimiye and Mohamed Abdelmonem. Bah becomes the second new arrival at Nice this summer, following the earlier signing of Gabin Bernardeau.
