Gaël Givet, Benoît Cheyrou and Laurent Bonnart this afternoon signed their contracts with OM. OM.net got their first impressions.

Gaël Givet : “I know I’ve done the right thing”

You’ve just signed a 4-year contract with OM. How do you feel?
I’m very happy to join Marseille. It’s a big club with the Champions League on its calendar. Also, there are great fans here. I can’t wait to meet my team-mates and to take the field at the Vélodrome.

It seems your transfer took place very quickly…
It was done discreetly rather than quickly. Marseille, Monaco and my agents worked well. Everyone reached an agreement quite quickly and everyone’s happy with the deal.

You’ll be playing Champions League football again after your trip to the final with Monaco. Is that extra motivation?
It’s been 2 seasons since I’ve played in the Champions League and once you taste it, you want it more. Marseille has given me the chance to do that. I’m thrilled to be doing it with Marseille.

You’ll go from the Stade Louis II to the heated atmosphere of the Vélodrome…
It’ll definitely be a big change. I’ve played at the Stade Vélodrome before with Monaco, and to have all those fans behind me in stead of against me will be awesome.

You’ll be playing with Julien Rodriguez again, another Monaco alumnus…
I met him on national team duty a few months ago. He told me OM was a great club and that he was having a great time. That influenced my decision somewhat but I also knew that in coming to Marseille, I was sure of doing the right thing.

Who will you find here in terms of friends?
There’s Djibril Cissé, with whom I played in Arles. Also, I read the press and I saw that Ludo (Giuly) might join the team too. We get along really well.

OM is a high-profile club. It could give you a chance for more regular national team selection…
Sure, a lot of people watch Marseille matches. Also, there will be great competition with the Champions League. It’s all up to me, I have to go out there and play my game, and if the national team manager calls me up, then great, but I’ll always be focused on giving 100% for the club.

Gaël Givet in brief
Born October 9 in Arles
Position: Defender
1m81 / 75kg
Coupe de la Ligue winner in 2003 (AS Monaco)
Champions League finalist in 2004 (AS Monaco)
International A (12 caps)

Career
2000-2001 AS Monaco 1 match 0 goal
2001-2002 AS Monaco 23 matches 2 goals
2002-2003 AS Monaco 23 matches 1 goal
2003-2004 AS Monaco 33 matches 2 goals
2004-2005 AS Monaco 34 matches
2005-2006 AS Monaco 32 matches 2 goals
2006-2007 AS Monaco 32 matches 1 goal

Benoît Cheyrou: “Fantastic experiences to be had at OM”

You’ve just signed for OM. What is your first impression?
An immense pride. I’m really happy to sign for a club like OM. I hope to take my game to the next level here and am looking forward to the Champions League, which I played in briefly with Lille and which I really enjoyed.

When was contact first made between you and OM?
About 6 months. There was already talk about it in December. Marseille had been following me for a while. That played a big part in my decision to sign.

What will you bring to OM’s game?
My qualities. I’ll try to bring stability to the midfield as well as my left foot to the best of my ability.

After a good season with Auxerre, are you ready for the Champions League?
Absolutely, I’ve been playing UEFA Cup for the last 3 seasons, but it’s not the real European Cup. This year with Marseille, it’ll be different in the Champions League. It’s an extraordinary thing in a player’s career.

Your brother has already played at Marseille. Did you ask his opinion before signing?
My brother is the most trustworthy person I can ask advice from. We’re lucky enough to have the same job and experience the same things. He player here and he was complimentary about the club, saying I could have some amazing experiences here.

Benoît Cheyrou in brief
Born May 13, 1981 in Suresnes
Position: Midfielder
1m82 / 78kg
Coupe de France winner in 2005 (Auxerre)
D2 Champion in 2000 (Lille)
Trophée des Champions finalist in 2005 (Auxerre)

Career
1999-2000: Lille (L2) - 11 matches
2000-2001: Lille - 8 matches, 1 goal
2001-2002: Lille - 23 matches (C1: 4 matches)
2002-2003: Lille - 31 matches, 1 goal
2003-2004: Lille - 27 matches, 1 goal
2004-2005: Auxerre - 29 matches, 1 goal (C3: 8 matches, 1 goal)
2005-2006: Auxerre - 35 matches, 2 goals (C3: 1 match)
2006-2007: Auxerre - 34 matches, 3 goals (C3: 7 matches, 1 goal)

Laurent Bonnart: “Give everything for OM”

You must be very happy to have just signed for 3 years with OM…
I feel a lot of pride and happiness in joining a club like this one. I played 9 seasons at Le Mans and here I am at a huge club with facilities like the Commanderie. Here, no-one thinks about anything but football, it’s fantastic.

What does OM represent for you?
It’s a new stage in my career. There is a lot of passion and fervour around this club. The city lives for football. I will try to give the maximum for the club, while also doing my best to enjoy myself.

Was playing at the Vélodrome in front of 60,000 fans also a dream of yours?
I’ve already done it, but as an opposition player… It’ll be different because the 60,000 people will be on my side now. It’s a huge bonus for the team and I hope we have a lot of good results, especially at the Vélodrome.

Is joining OM after 9 seasons at Le Mans a big step?
Obviously it’s a big step. I had some fantastic experiences at Le Mans on an emotional level. I was there as the club was being built up, a job that is still under way. But to arrive at Marseille at 27 years of age is huge. It’s also the reward for years of hard work, and that’s why I’m grateful to all the players who played alongside me. I hope to play many seasons here and have some great experiences.

What will be your objectives in the OM shirt in season 2007-08?
To make as much progress as possible and give everything when I’m asked to. I also hope to be on good terms with the fans and the people of Marseille so we can share some extraordinary experiences.

Have you had a chance to visit the city?
I landed this morning and had just enough time to visit the training centre at the Commanderie. It’s fantastic; it has everything you need to win matches. I’m not very familiar with the city yet but I hope to get to know it soon.

Laurent Bonnart in brief
Born December 25, 1979 in Chambray-lès-Tours
Position: Defender
1m70 / 62kg

Career
1997-1998: Tours FC (N)
1998-1999: Le Mans (L2) - 0 match
1999-2000: Le Mans (L2) - 13 matches, 1 goal
2000-2001: Le Mans (L2) - 33 matches
2001-2002: Le Mans (L2) - 33 matches, 1 goal
2002-2003: Le Mans (L2) - 38 matches, 2 goals
2003-2004: Le Mans - 27 matches
2004-2005: Le Mans (L2) - 36 matches
2005-2006: Le Mans - 35 matches
2006-2007: Le Mans - 20 matches