French star signs for Oltchim

After playing for EHF Champions League club Metz Handball for the last three years, Pineau, who was named best player of the year in 2009, decided to leave the French champions in order to have a chance of winning the most important club competition in Europe.

Sidelined by a horrific injury sustained in the World Championship semi-final against Denmark – a torn ligament in her knee – since December, Pineau made a surprising choice to some observers, joining Oltchim Rm. Vâlcea, becoming the first French player ever to sign for a Romanian side.

“I was contacted by a lot of important clubs, but Oltchim had the best offer. It is a pleasure to be a part of such a great team, whose objectives remain the same in the long term. I always considered my new team to be one of the best in Europe and having such talented team-mates and a good coach helped a lot in making my decision. Also, the Romanian championship isn’t as even as the French one, so I can take some time off to rest my knee”, said Pineau in an official press conference.

“Oltchim have a great fan base and I want to make all the fans happy. I still have to shake off the terrible injury I suffered in December, but I can assure everybody that I will be at 100%, both mentally and physically, come July 1st when I will train for the first time with my new team-mates”, added Pineau, who scored 29 goals in six matches for Metz Handball in this year’s EHF Women's Champions League. 



Oltchim’s president, Petre Berbecaru, praised Pineau and her decision to sign for the Romanian club: “Oltchim’s staff and management have always considered Allison to be a great player. We are very happy to announce that she has signed for Oltchim and with this transfer we confirm our hunger for glory. Oltchim will not stop here!”