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Lyon replace Diarra with namesake

Diarra, left, is rated one of the most promising French players.

PARIS, France -- Olympique Lyon have signed Racing Lens midfielder Alou Diarra on a four-year contract, a source close to the French champions said on Wednesday.

The fee is estimated at about seven-million euro ($8.98 million) for the highly-rated 25-year-old who made a substitute appearance during the World Cup final.

He replaces Mali's Mahamadou Diarra who completed his 26-million euro ($33 million) move to Real Madrid earlier this week.

Alou Diarra is widely considered to be one of the most promising French players and was first picked by national coach Raymond Domenech for a World Cup qualifier against Ireland in October 2004.

He has 11 caps and made a convincing appearance during the final in Germany where he replaced injured Patrick Vieira during the second half.

France eventually lost to Italy on penalties.

Ooijer on board

Dutch international defender Andre Ooijer left PSV Eindhoven for Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday for an undisclosed fee.

"I wanted to move on and further my career and I think it is a good step for me to be here," Ooijer told the Premier League club's Web site after signing a two-year contract.

"When a club like Blackburn comes in for you, it was a simple choice for me. I heard a lot from other players that Blackburn was a warm club, it sounded like PSV."

The 32-year-old Ooijer was an ever-present in his country's World Cup side in Germany.

He said he had talked with Dutch team-mate Ruud van Nistelrooy, who left Manchester United for Real Madrid in the close season, about the prospect of joining Blackburn.

"I spoke to Ruud van Nistelrooy and he was very positive," said Ooijer. "I am really looking forward to it."

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