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Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter

ZIMBABWE international Tino Kadewere has paid tribute to Dutch midfielder Memphis Depay who is set to leave French Ligue 1 football giants Olympique Lyon following the expiry of his contract.

Kadewere said club captain, Depay, helped him settle in the fast lane of French football when he arrived at the side at the beginning of the just-ended season.

But Depay, is sure not going to be part of the Lyon side when a new campaign begins in August. The Dutchman spent the last four years at the club and has declined to renew his contract.

He has been linked with moves to either Liverpool or Spanish giants, Barcelona, as a free agent.

“I want to say thank you for everything my captain, one of the best players I have played with,” said Kadewere.

“Since my first day in the club you were there for me; taught me well; helped me a lot of times when I was down (and I) really appreciate that. It was a pleasure playing with you and wish you nothing but the best in the future and hope to see you soon,” said Kadewere.

Depay along with Kadewere and Cameroonian Karl Toko-Ekambi formed a lethal strikeforce in the just ended season.

The trio contributed 44 of Lyon’s 81 goals.

Depay was top scorer for Lyon in 2020-21, netting 21 times in Ligue 1 while Toko-Ekambi was second with 14 goals. Kadewere was third with 10 goals. He also had three assists in 33 appearances.

Kadewere has often attributed his success to Depay who finished second in the Ligue 1 Golden Boot behind Kylian Mbappe. In total, he played 178 times for Lyon in all competitions, scoring 75 goals.