Lassana Diarra resolves long-standing Lokomotiv dispute
Out of work midfielder Lassana Diarra confirmed Monday that he had resolved a contractual discord with Russian top-flight side Lokomotiv Moscow.
Diarra, who spent time with Lokomotiv in 2013-14, was ordered to pay a €10.5-million fine by the Court Arbitration of Sport (CAS) for a breach of contract after a falling out with manager Leonid Kuchuk saw him leave the club in August 2014.
The 34-time capped French international was also slapped with a 15-month ban from professional football, prompting a move to Marseille in August 2015.
"Today, Lokomotiv Moscow and I found an agreement, and tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, they will announce it on their website, within 48 hours, I think," Diarra told beIN Sports.
"I'm very happy, it's a good deal, it's very good news."
Diarra did not disclose the terms of the agreement nor the fee.
After a stellar return to first-team duties last season with Marseille where the 31-year-old former Arsenal, Chelsea, and Real Madrid standout made 26 Ligue 1 appearances, Diarra and the club had a falling out this campaign, and his contract with Olympique was terminated by mutual consent in February.
Related: Diarra's Marseille contract mutually terminated amid China link
Diarra added that despite speculation linking him with a move to China - whose transfer window slammed shut on Feb. 28 - the Le Havre product conceded that he will not make a decision until the summer.
"I'm doing some simple things, I'm enjoying it again, if it's over, it's possible, I do not know, I'm back in Paris, with my family, the kids," Diarred admitted. "The six, the last seven months have not been a lot of rest, I'm not 20 years old ... It was my last big fight."
While not willing to discuss the next step in a mercurial career, Diarra did hint at where his talents could take him next.
"A new page will open, I like the United States, I spent a lot of time there, and there is the Middle East, the Emirates, Dubai. A culture that corresponds to me, and that's the two options that will perhaps make me play, if not, the rest is over."
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