Former Players : News from Dabo, Nonda, Puygrenier and Soumah

Without a contract since he was released by Lazio Roma Ousmane Dabo would like to find a new challenge in Ligue 1, as he explained to the biweekly magazine France Football : “I’m 33 now, and I really feel like coming closer from home (…) The problem is, that the French market is quite complex”, he explains. After three seasons in Rennes (1995-1998), Dabo left the club’s Academy – along with Mickaël Silvestre – for the Inter Milan. The Laval-man went on spending most of his career in Italy, despite spells in Monaco and Manchester City. Since the beginning of this summer, the 3 times capped Frenchman is keeping fit in Saint-Raphaël, in case a club would call him.

In the same situation as Dabo, Shabani Nonda, the former Route de Lorient favourite, is also looking for a new contract after he left Galatasaray: “Since my Galatasaray was terminated, I’m without a club at the moment”, he explains to RMC. “Even though I’ve left France since five years, I’m thinking about coming back. I’m missing it. At the moment, I’m training in Saint-Raphaël. I’m still eager to play and score goals. The pleasure is still there”, explains the striker who remains the biggest ever transfer from the Stade Rennais. Indeed, Monaco had offered 23 million euro to recruit the Congolese striker, a 36 time goal scorer in two seasons with Rennes.

Already on loan in Monaco last year, Sébastien Puygrenier has been loaned again to the Principality’s club by the Zenit Saint-Petersburg. Eager to remain under Guy Lacombe’s management, the former Rennes defender will be associated with two former Rennes men, Petter Hansson and Djimi Traoré, in the Monaco defense.

Finally, Richard Soumah has just signed a four year contract with Brest. Trained at Rennes’ Academy until June 2004, the left midfielder joined Guingamp where he signed his first professional contract. Ironically, he was one of the main actors in Rennes’ biggest disillusions for decades, winning the 2009 Coupe de France with the Armorican club (2-1). After six years in Guingamp, he will play his first season in the top flight in Brest.