The West Brom Premier League loanee now facing third relegation in five years after French side's demotion
Ainsley Maitland-Niles was among West Brom's last Premier League side - and one that ultimately failed to avoid relegation to the Championship.
The ex-England international arrive at Albion in January 2021 - one of a handful of signings that the club hoped would boost their Premier League survival.
He played a key role as Albion tried to steer themselves away from the drop zone - but their task ended in failure.
Maitland-Niles made 12 appearances as Albion were relegated and they have not returned to the top flight since.
The utility man, who made more than 123 appearances for Arsenal, then went to Roma before a season with Southampton.
That also ended in relegation before the midfielder made a move to France in 2023 - where he has spent the last two seasons with Lyon and made 73 appearances.
He played 44 times last season, where they finished sixth in Ligue 1 and reached the last eight of the Europa League.
But Maitland-Niles has faced his third relegation in just over four years. However, this one is with a twist.
The ex-Arsenal man has seen Lyon relegated from the French top flight due to financial reasons. It is the second time this has happened to a club in France, after Bordeaux fell down the leagues for money related issues.
The demotion was handed down back in November by the DNGC, a body that oversees the accounts of professional football clubs in France.
It is believed the decision is down to mounting debts at the club.
The club have failed to convince the authorities to change their decision - and now the club has launched an appeal which is waiting to be heard.
