Zinedine Zidane's former club Bordeaux to give up professional status, set to terminate players' contracts and close training facility - Reports

According to Sud Ouest (French outlet), Zinedine Zidane's former club FC Bordeaux have given up their professional status, which they acquired in 1937. Bordeaux were in the third division of French football last season.

The third division consists of amateur teams as well as some professional teams. Relegation from the division means an automatic loss of professional status, however, a club can appeal to keep the status for two more years.

Bordeaux, though, have decided to give up the status. All contracts of players will be terminated as a result. Their training grounds will also be frozen. The club currently hosts 70 youngsters in their academies, some of which are accommodated at the site.

Bordeaux wanted to reduce their payroll, which was €36 million last season. €25 million of that was only for first-team players, coaches, and staff. The club are also running on a net loss of €40 million.

Bordeaux are set to appear in front of the commercial court next week as they'll reportedly appeal to freeze all their debt, accounted as €90 million by the aforementioned source.

Apart from Zinedine Zidane, Bixente Lizarazu, Sylvian Wiltord, Christophe Dugarry, and more are among the most well-known former players of the club. Bordeaux won the Ligue 1 title six times with their most recent triumph coming in 2008-09.

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Zinedine Zidane's time at Bordeaux

Zinedine Zidane joined FC Bordeaux back in 1992 and spent a significant amount of time at the club until his 1996 move to Juventus. Zidane made 179 appearances for the Ligue 1 side.

He scored 39 goals and provided 23 assists for the club and established himself as one of the best young midfielders in world football. He eventually earned a transfer to Serie A giants Juventus.

Zidane played alongside Lizarazu, Dugarry, and more at the club. Bordeaux's downfall is stunning as within 15 years of winning their last Ligue 1 title, the club have relinquished their professional status.