OL Lyonnes have confirmed the signing of highly-rated German goalkeeper Mala Grohs from Bayern Munich, with the 24-year-old becoming the club’s first addition ahead of the 2026/27 season.
The Germany international arrives after a trophy-laden seven-year spell in Bavaria, where she established herself as one of the most promising goalkeepers in European women’s football.
Mala Grohs Ends Successful Bayern Munich Chapter
Bayern Munich announced earlier this year that Grohs would leave the club at the end of the season, bringing an end to a journey that began when she joined from VfL Bochum in 2019.
The goalkeeper initially featured for Bayern’s reserve side, where she quickly caught the eye by keeping 24 clean sheets without conceding a goal in Germany’s second division. Her performances earned promotion to the first team, and she made her Frauen-Bundesliga debut in April 2021.
Grohs’ breakthrough came during the 2022/23 campaign when she became Bayern’s first-choice goalkeeper and made her UEFA Women’s Champions League debut. From that point onward, she played a key role in one of the most dominant periods in the club’s history.
During her time in Munich, Grohs collected five Bundesliga titles, two DFB-Pokal trophies and two German Super Cups, helping Bayern cement their position as one of Europe’s elite women’s teams.
Emotional Farewell to Bayern Munich
Bayern’s Director of Women’s Football, Bianca Rech, paid tribute to Grohs’ impact both on and off the pitch.
The club highlighted her determination in progressing through the ranks to become Bayern’s number one goalkeeper, while also praising the courage and resilience she displayed during her battle with a serious illness.
Grohs herself described Bayern as her home and reflected emotionally on her seven years at the club.
“FC Bayern has become a home for me,” she said. “When I look back on my seven years here, I think of countless little moments in the dressing room, our title wins and my first steps in professional football.”
The goalkeeper added that she leaves Munich with “pride and gratitude” while looking ahead to the next chapter of her career in good health.
OL Lyonnes Secure One of Germany’s Brightest Goalkeeping Talents
OL Lyonnes have moved quickly to strengthen their squad by securing the services of a player widely regarded as one of Germany’s top goalkeepers.
Born in Münster, Grohs began her football journey in boys’ teams before moving to Bochum’s women’s setup at the age of 15. Her development since then has seen her rise through the German football pyramid and become a regular competitor in both domestic and European competitions.
At just 24 years old, Grohs already possesses significant experience at the highest level, including Women’s Champions League football and multiple title-winning campaigns.
The French club confirmed that the goalkeeper has signed until June 2027 and will join her new teammates when pre-season training begins on 27 July.
A New Challenge in Lyon
For Grohs, the move represents an opportunity to continue her development in one of women’s football’s most successful environments.
OL Lyonnes have long been recognised as one of the benchmark clubs in the women’s game, and the German goalkeeper cited the project as an important factor in her decision to move to France.
Her arrival signals the beginning of a new era both for the player and for Lyon’s squad planning ahead of the new campaign.
Having already won multiple domestic trophies in Germany, Grohs now faces the challenge of competing for silverware in France while continuing her growth on the European stage.
As OL Lyonnes begin preparations for the 2026/27 season, the signing of Mala Grohs could prove to be one of the most significant goalkeeper transfers of the summer window.
Source: OL Lyonnes
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