Pau Lopez has made his loan deal to Olympique de Marseille from AS Roma a permanent one after an impressive first half of the season at the Orange Vélodrome.
Lopez was signed at the start of the season with coach Jorge Sampaoli seeking to introduce some competition for the goalkeeping role occupied by club captain Steve Mandanda.
But with 36-year-old Mandanda starting just four Ligue 1 Uber Eats games, Lopez - nine years his junior - has seized his chance with both hands, quite literally, keeping nine clean sheets in his 15 games and boasting the highest save percentage in the division.
"I don't think that this competition is a concern," Lopez explained recently. "The problem is for the coach, who must make a choice. I see the bright side of things: you have to be thorough every day, never let go. Having Steve by my side gives me a boost, it forces me to perform at my peak."
Lopez has signed a fresh contract which runs until 2026. OM, who beat Girondins de Bordeaux 1-0 on Friday, are next in action a week on Sunday at home to champions LOSC.
