just another episode of Europe taking my players away from me
A decent looking goalkeeper on paper. The European raid on South America shall never end, Tango.
Another good young signing. Certainly building a young and exciting team to take France and Europe by storm
It's incredibly crucial to have someone between the posts that you feel can be trusted, and it looks like you've gotten your man. €5,500,000 well spent when you consider the fees that get thrown about in football these days, and you've got someone that you could have for the next 10-years if you wish to. Looking forward to seeing who else you bring in 
That Tifo update is a brilliant piece of work that captures the brilliant career of Conor McDonald so far. He's had an excellent start to his early career and now with Bordeaux there is a long journey ahead. If anyone is set to take them back to the top though, it'll be Conor. Some exciting arrivals joining and I think Europe is a real possibility this season.
Fantastic story that I binge-read. Also, I read that whole Tifo update in Alex' voice.
Newcastle Sign Gyllingberg for €20 Million
English Premier League side Newcastle United have finalised the €20,000,000 signing of Bordeaux’s centre-back Lucas Gyllingberg.
The 23-year-old Swede signed a four-and-a-half-year deal at St. James’ Park as Paco Jémez’s team look to hunt European qualification this season.
Gyllingberg came through the well-known Malmo academy in Sweden and became an immediate face in the first-team upon signing his first professional deal with the club in 2020.
He made 68 appearances for his boyhood team before signing for Bordeaux under Jindrich Trpisovsky’s reign at Matmut Atlantique for a fee of €3,100,000.
The 6’4” centre-back made 33 appearances in his first season at the Ligue 1 side and has been a persistent starter in Bordeaux’s matches this season, too.
Gyllingberg has made nine caps for his country, scoring his first Swedish international goal against Bosnia & Herzegovina whilst under contract at Bordeaux despite making his international debut in 2022 whilst at Malmo.
Gyllingberg follows the recent spate of departures from the club but he is only the second first-team player to leave in January following Myziane Maolida’s €5,000,000 move to Serie A outfit Hellas Verona earlier this month.
Zed: He'll definitely be in contention!
Tango: I almost feel sorry for you
Scott: Got to pay credit to Tango's lads
leckuno: For a goalkeeper he seems to have a lot going for him at his young age!
James: Thankfully a lot of Argentine players come cheap, even if they have Moric's talent.
Seb: Thank you mate, there seems to be an aura around McDonald that smells of success and hopefully it can happen for him here.
MidKnightDreary: Thanks for showing support mate! I definitely had the same voice in my head when I was writing it
A significant departure. That sort of money certainly frees up a lot of potential to bring in a suitable replacement though.
A decent sum of money coming in, I wonder where it'll be spent. My hope is the arrival of Carty and Stewart with Kern Hernandez joining next year
December & January Results
Ligue 1 Standings (as of 31st January 2026)
Conor’s Verdict
Brahim Díaz and Danylo Sikan have been particularly great in their scoring and creativity over the two months in general, with December being a great month for scoring.
We failed to meet a season objective this season, though, as we were knocked out before the Quarter-Final of the Coupe de France, falling short against Nantes just one round away from our target.
Our performance in January was not representative how well we can play and I was disappointed with Strasbourg Alsace in particular.
However, our final match of the season against Monaco at home was an outstanding array of passing and creativity as well as consummate finishing against a regular top three side, proving to the lads that we can mix it up with the big teams in this league.
Tango: Might have to look to Gimnasia again
Scott: It's a loss to the squad but the gains from the fee outweigh it in my opinion. We're reasonably well-covered at the back as it stands.
Seb: Now Kern Hernandez would be a lovely idea
Good climb up the table for Bordeaux, but the loss to Strasbourg is a bit of a concern. Disappointing to have gone out of the cup [how many rounds are there!?!?], but it'll allow you to focus on the league and get things under control there. Be good to start turning the narrow losses into draws at the very least, which will keep the points trickling in. Sign Reine-Adelaide at the end of the season plz!
Plenty time left this season to finish in the top 2: let's do this!
Plenty time left this season to finish in the top 2: let's do this!
get off my players
dominating December but a wobbly January. And congrats on the visual work in there, very well polished
dominating December but a wobbly January. And congrats on the visual work in there, very well polished
Largely, a fantastic run of results! Quite a stark contrast to the beginning of the season. It was only a matter of time.
Tottenham Sign Sikan
Tottenham Hotspur have signed Bordeaux striker Danylo Sikan for a transfer fee of €32,500,000.
Interest in the Ukrainian striker has been brewing all throughout January with an earlier attempt by Atlético Madrid being accepted by the club but turned down by the player during contract negotiations.
However, the 24-year-old came to an agreement with the North London club with a four-and-a-half-year deal on £80,000 per week – over double his earnings at Matmut Atlantique.
Sikan has been in great form in Ligue 1 this season, scoring 11 goals 17 games for Les Girondins. This was after his successful 2024/25 campaign where he finished as the division’s fourth top scorer with 15 goals.
He arrived from Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk in 2023 for €14.5 million after 20 goals in 47 games for the Prem’er-Liha champions.
Internationally, he made his first cap for Ukraine’s senior team against Iran in 2022 and scored on his debut. He has gone on to score 6 goals in 24 caps for his country.
Sources close to Bordeaux in France suggest that the loan move for Manchester City’s Tornike Kavelashvili was already lined up to cover for the potential loss of Danylo Sikan throughout his Atlético Madrid talks.
James: The loss to Strasbourg was a bit of a strange one considering our form before it, once we went two goals down the aim was just to get a point out of it but unfortunately it wasn't to be. In the Coupe de France there are 14 rounds but rather than having qualifying rounds, they just name them First, Second etc. I think the top 2 is a bit of a stretch for sure, 3rd place is certainly achievable though!
Tango:
Our December performances were quite stunning, even for me! Thanks for the comment on the presentation, it's much appreciated 
Scott: Those runs of games where we scored four goals in consecutive games was a great time! It's great to be in this position considering our poor start.
You are reading "Conor McDonald: The Student".
