First team

A genuine right back, Rod Fanni signed with the Stade Rennais to replace Mario Melchiot, back to England. Trained in Martigues and recruited by Lens, he took time to show the skills that made him a member of the French U21 team. Eventually managing to break through in Nice, he confirmed his qualities in Brittany, both defensively and offensively. Now a full International, he is one of the very best French players on his position.

Continuing the recent tradition of Swedish internationals in Rennes, Petter Hansson arrived in Brittany in June 2007, at the end of his contract with Heerenveen. Powerful, dominant in the air and gifted with a strong shooting ability, he often encountered critics for his lack of speed. However, he soon became a cornerstone of the Stade Rennais, becoming the team's captain in 2008. In June 2010, at the end of his contract with Rennes, he joined Monaco and former manager Guy Lacombe.

A very physical midfielder, Kader Mangane spent several years in the Swiss Super League. In August 2007, he was recruited by Lens, managing good performances throughout season despite the club being relegated. Willing to remain on the top flight, the Senegalese international decided to go on with his career in Brittany. Repositioned as a central defender alongside Petter Hansson, Kader Mangane managed an impressive 2008-2009 season, helping the Rennes supporters forget the departure of favourite John Mensah. With Petter Hansson departing to Monaco in June 2010, Kader Mangane was named captain of the professional squad for the following season.

A defensive midfielder converted as a right back, the man from Saint Brieuc was a member of the 2008 Gambardella Cup winning team. After he made his way through from the Rennes Academy, Guy Lacombe gave him a first run in the professional team in 2008, for a Coupe de la Ligue game against Le Mans. A few months later, he signed his first professional contract with Rennes. In the early 2010-2011 season, he earned his place in Rennes' first team at the left back position.

Romain Danzé followed the typical journey of a modern professional footballer. A member of the Pre-Academy center in Ploufragan (along with Yoann Gourcuff among others), he then joined the Stade Rennais Academy. A hard-worker, down to earth, Danze signed a first professional contract in May 2006. Struggling to make his way into the first team, the midfielder was very prompt to catch every given opportunity. His total commitment and his versatility eventually seduced all his coaches. Despite not being a regular starter, the player from Finistere became a first choice to cover for many positions. His efforts were recompensed in 2009, when Frederic Antonetti made him the first choice on the left back position instead of Carlos Bocanegra. During the 2010-2011, his status changed when Rod Fanni expressed his desire to leave the club, and he became a full time starter in Rennes' defence

This young Châteauroux-trained defensive midfielder was the surprise recruit of the 2009 summer transfer window. Until then, Tongo Hamed Doumbia played for the Châteauroux Reserves in the French fifth division, appearing for only 5 minutes with the first team in Ligue 2. After his arrival in Brittany, he signed a first 3-year professional contract, with the mission to prove his ability with the reserve to apply for a place in the professional squad. In January 2010 however, the combined departures of Bruno Cheyrou and Junichi Inamoto made him the first back-up choice, at the doors of the first team.

A skilled midfielder from the INF Clairefontaine, Yassine Jebbour quickly made his mark at the Stade Rennais, as a member of the club’s Academy. Regularly playing for the “Rouge et Noir” youth teams, in age categories above his, he signed his first professional contract aged only 17. Repositioned as a right back during his training, Jebbour became an essential player in Laurent Huard’s Reserve squad, and is progressively making his way into the professional squad. After his Ligue 1 debut, in December 2010 against Valenciennes, Jebbour went on to be receive his first cap as a Morrocan U21 international. He is most likely to be loaned next season, an option he had already asked to be considered at the beginning of 2011. But at the time, Stade Rennais had refused his request.

The only member of the Squad to be born in the Ille-et-Vilaine department, Fabien Lemoine went through all the youth teams at the Stade Rennais. A defensive midfielder, gifted with a good ability to play forwards, he signed his first professional contract in June 2007. Rarely used over his first few months as a professional, he is brought in the first team by Guy Lacombe and quickly becomes a regular starter, pushing Etienne Didot and Bruno Cheyrou to the bench. He has now become a key player of the Stade Rennais squad.

A very physical and technically skilled attacking midfielder, Jérôme Leroy had a travel-rich football career. From Paris to Sochaux, calling at Guingamp, Lens or Jerusalem, he had a strong career, marked by a few gut reactions which gave him the image of a temperamental player, sometimes criticized for his instability. After having terminated his contract with Sochaux, despite having realised a very good season crowned with a Coupe de France success, Jérôme Leroy signed in Rennes for the next stages of his career.A successful choice for the Stade Rennais, and for the player who realised a magnificent first season. His following two years with the club, however, were a bit less convincing, with a lesser influence and offensive intake.

A talented, Vannes born player, Sylvain Marveaux plays his football as an attacking midfielder, both at left and centre positions. Very quick and technical, he was often compared to Olivier Monterrubio on his early years. Trained at the club’s Academy since 2001, he soon became an essential member of the Reserves Team, and he signed a first 3 years professional contract for the Stade Rennais in 2006. With five Ligue 1 goals for his first season in the top flight, Sylvain Marveaux started his professional career to perfection. Unfortunately, his second season was not as convincing while the third was spoilt by a nasty adductors injury. His return, in May 2009, was full of promise, and in 2009-2010, Marveaux managed his best season as a professional, with ten goals and five assists in Ligue 1.