Former players

An highly experienced player, with over 300 games in Ligue 1, Daniel Moreira’s profile seemed ideal to replace Rennes favourite, Alexander Frei. With 69 goals in 10 Ligue 1 season, his partnership with John Utaka was full of promise, especially since the two men had already partnered with success for the RC Lens. However, in Brittany, Daniel Moreira lost all sort of efficiency, not managing to score a single goal in two seasons. Loaned to Grenoble in 2008-2009, he was transferred to Boulogne-sur-Mer in August 2009.

Ten years after, Sylvain Wiltord’s return in his first professional team was one of the “feel good stories” of the 2007 summer. A prodigal son of the Stade Rennais, “Nino” has experienced everything, from his beginnings in Division 2, all the way up to a European Championship title and a World Cup final with France. After long negotiations with Lyon, the 92-caps man came back to his initial red and black colours, to help Rennes become one of the strongest places in the French football landscape. Unfortunately, the beautiful story went sour after Guy Lacombe’s arrival. Often pushed out of the professional squad, Wiltord eventually decided to leave again in winter 2009, and joined Marseille on a 6 month deal. In 2009-2010, he signed a contract for Ligue 2 side Metz, where he still plays at the moment.

In Rennes, he was THE attraction of the 2005 summer transfer window. John Utaka, twelve goals during the 2004-2005 season (including a hat-trick against Rennes) was arriving on the banks of the Vilaine, to bring his pace and strength to the team. Rather unconvincing in the first half of the 2005-2006 season, especially in front of the goals, “John U” showed all his potential following two hat tricks in two games, against Lens and Lyon. His rising form pulled Rennes forward for an incredible come back in the League table. A very inconstant player, the Nigerian knew some difficulties in his second season, but he still was one of Rennes’ best attacking assets, scoring twelve goals over the season. In July 2007, he was finally recruited by Portsmouth after long negotiations, for a fee of more than 10 millions euro.

Olivier Monterrubio joined the Stade Rennais in Summer 2001, from the local arch-rival FC Nantes. The left-footed midfielder managed a very quick adaptation on Rennes’ attacking line, and was soon accepted and loved by his supporters. Despite a very average second season, and a difficult relationship with the coach, Vahid Halilhodzic, “Rubio” went on to become a key member of Rennes’ squad. Finishing the league with the most assists in three consecutive seasons, his association with Alexander Frei was arguably the best in France, and he delighted the fans with his pace, his technical ability and his inch-perfect deliveries. Promoted as Rennes’ captain, longest serving member of the squad, he started the 2006/2007 season as irremovable member of the squad. Unfortunately, a string of poor performances caused questioning about the Gaillac man. Eager for a new challenge, he decided to sign a contract with Lens in January 2007, to the dismay of many Rennes supporters.

«Strong, Rigorous, Powerful» : These ase the words J.J. Perrier Doumbé used to sum up John Mensah’s qualities. The Ghanaian international was loaned to Rennes in late January 2006, to stabilise a defensive line often struggling to cope during that season. The “Rock from Djiporta” soon proved his recruiters right, and was immediately loved by the Rennes support. The instant success of his loan was soon materialised, when he signed a three years contract with the club from Brittany. Unfortunately, while his role as a key player was never contested and many (big) teams were following him, his stay in Rennes was marked by recurrent injuries. In July 2008, he followed the footsteps of Kim Källström, and decided to join the Olympique Lyonnais at the end of fierce transfer negotiations.

An experienced goalkeeper, born and trained in Caen, Fabrice Catherine joined the Stade Rennais for the 2007-2008 season. Arriving as the third choice keeper, he kept himself fit and ready to cover any unavailabilities of Simon Pouplin or Patrice Luzi, while working closely with the young keepers from the Reserve and Academy. Having previously played for Sedan, Laval, Tours, and even Estoril in Portuguese second division, Fabrice Catherine signed a one year contract with Rennes in July 2007. A year later, his contract wasn’t extended, and the player was released by the club.

Recruited very early by the Juventus Turin, Andreas Isaksson came back to Sweden, at Djurgardens IF, before eventually arriving in Rennes. Formerly Van der Sar’s substitute in Italy, the Swedish international came to replace former Rennes favourite Petr Cech, in the supporters’ hearts and on the pitch. Sometimes decisive, the Swede lacked of regularity to live up to the club’s great expectations. After two seasons in Rennes, Isaksson was transferred to Manchester City. He is now playing is football in Holland, at the PSV Eindhoven.

At the end of an interesting spell as Andreas Isaksson’s substitute, Simon Pouplin soon became Rennes’ first choice goalkeeper. His former mentor, Christophe Lollichon, talking about him, recognised he had an “obvious talent. He is someone who always analyses his performances, always looks for what is best and works hard to reach it». His 2007-2008 season, however, was much harder to manage, so much that Patrice Luzi ended up taking over the number one spot. When Nicolas Douchez arrived in Rennes, Pouplin was pushed towards the exit, and signed a contract for German second division outfit Freiburg, where he became a key-member of the team and took part in the club’s promotion to Bundesliga.