Sunday, June 28, 2009

Marseille close to signing Lomu

Jonah Lomu at a charity function
Lomu scored 65 tries in 95 games for the All Blacks

New Zealand legend Jonah Lomu is set to sign for French third division side Marseille Vitrolles.

A club statement said they are "on the point of finalising the transfer of the greatest rugby legend in the world".

Lomu, 34, won 63 caps for the All Blacks but his career was cut short by a kidney illness that eventually required a transplant in July 2004.

"Everyone thought I'd ended my playing career but that was wrong. I still feel the desire to play," said the winger.

After the kidney transplant, Lomu played for Welsh side Cardiff in 2005-06 but without any great success and he returned home to play for North Harbour.

He added: "I took a sabbatical year to be at my pregnant partner's side and to fully enjoy this important moment in any man's life.

"It will be me alone who decides when to call it a day."

And he is excited by the prospect of helping Marseille reach the top echelons of French rugby.

"Marseille is the second biggest city in France and it deserves to have a top rugby side," Lomu said.

"The club now has the means to meet its ambitions and promotion to the second division is the priority for this year.

"My ambition is to help Marseille join the group of top clubs in France."

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