Francisco Signs Record-Breaking Contract with French Club Villeurbanne
Silvain Francisco, a standout guard from last season's Zalgiris team, has officially joined Villeurbanne with a historic contract. The deal, announced on June 30, 2026, is estimated at 4 million euros per season, making Francisco the highest-paid basketball player in French history. This signing marks the beginning of a major summer overhaul for Villeurbanne, which plans to significantly increase its roster budget from approximately 4.7 million euros in the 2025-26 season to accommodate new star players.
Alongside Francisco, Villeurbanne is expected to add Daniel Theis and Armoni Brooks to its roster. The club is also reportedly interested in Gershon Yabusele, should he decide to return from the NBA to the EuroLeague, although such a move currently seems unlikely. Another target is Timothy Luwawu-Cabarrot, who is also being pursued by Real Madrid.
Francisco's performance last season was exceptional, playing 42 EuroLeague games with averages of 16.5 points, 6.5 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and a performance index rating of 19.2. These impressive stats earned him second place in the MVP race, underscoring his value and potential impact at Villeurbanne.
The same event, reported separately by each outlet. Open a few to compare what different newsrooms emphasize — and what they leave out.
Not the same event — other stories that share this one’s people, places, or theme: background, reactions, and follow-ups.