Players & Staff

Lacking competition in Auxerre, the Cameroon international decided to look for a news challenge with the “Rouge et Noir”. Often criticized by the fans, Perrier-Doumbé struggled to offer regular high level performances. Unfortunately for him, he got injured just as his performances started to improve, and he even lost his place in the starting eleven to the benefit of another Cameroon player: Stéphane M’Bia. However, he came back well to be one of the best men in the team in 2006. At Mario Melchiot’s arrival to play at right back, Perrier-Doumbé decided to go for a new challenge in Scotland, signing for Celtic Glasgow in January 2007.

Trained at the Le Havre Academy after a spell at Paris FC, the Paris-born goalkeeper spends four seasons in Normandy, in the shadows of Alexander Vencel, the Slovakian international, without playing a single game with the first team. _Finally loaned to Chateauroux, Douchez seizes the opportunity to accumulate games and experience in Ligue 2. Scouted by Toulouse, he then joins the “Pink City” for a first season as a substitute to Christophe Revault. On his second season, he reveals himself in the limelight, thanks to excellent performances, leading him to become the first choice in the Toulouse goals. Transferred to the Stade Rennais after a less convincing 2007-2008 season, Douchez soon took his marks in the “Rouge et Noir” goals. Multiple and decisive saves are his usual lot, and his hard work was rewarded in October 2009 with a debut call-up in the French National Squad.

Trained at the AS Monaco academy, Patrice Luzi had a rather original career. He signed for Liverpool, aged 22, having played only one League 1 game, but would not know a better fortune than with England, with one Premier League game in three years. He then tried his luck in Belgium and had two good seasons under the colours of Mouscron and Charleroi. In June 2007, he was recruited by the Stade Rennais to act as substitute to Simon Pouplin. Soon, he profited of Pouplin’s poor form and injuries to make his way as first goalkeeper. However, the signing of Nicolas Douchez and the emergence of Cheick N’Diaye and Abdoulaye Diallo saw him sitting on the bench, or even with the Reserve Team. During the 2009-2010 season, he was only the fourth choice in the Rennes goalkeepers hierarchy. In June 2010, he left the club at the end of his contract.

Arrived in Bretagne to accelerate his progression, Cheick N’Diaye, former goalkeeper of Noisy-le-Sec, could rely on the presence of experienced goalkeepers such as Isaksson or Revault to up his level. Third choice in the Goalkeepers hierarchy during two seasons, he mainly plays with the Reserves Team, where his jumping ability makes wonders. To gain in experience, he is loaned to Creteil (3rd Division) for a season. Back in Rennes, he becomes the Number 2 Goalkeeper behind Nicolas Douchez.

Young goalkeeper from the Rennes Academy, Florent Petit signed his first professional contract with the club in July 2009. First choice keeper of the brilliant generation that won the 2008 Gambardella Cup, Florent Petit had managed not to go through the whole competition without conceding a single goal. Remaining in the shadow of Nicolas Douchez, and pushed out by the competition of Carasso and Diallo, he left the club in June 2010.

United States’ Bocanegra is a polyvalent defender, capable to play as a left or centre back, arrived in Brittany to bring his experience to the Rennes squad. Born in Upland, California, he rapidly caught the public eye with his performances in Major League Soccer, from his first season with Chicago. Recruited by Fulham, he spent the following five years in thePremier League, playing over a hundred games. Released by the London club, he then decided to move to Brittany. Captain of the USA national team, he settles down on the Rennes Left Back position, and – despite a few difficult first games on this position – manages to consolidate his position in the Rennes starting eleven. In May 2009, he scored the opening goal in the Coupe de France final, but his header wasn’t enough to secure the trophy for the Stade Rennais. In July 2010, Carlos Bocanegra was transferred to Saint Etienne

Stade de Gerland, November 2009: Abdoulaye Diallo is under Ligue 1’s spotlights aged only 17. Against Lyon, the club’s third goalkeeper did the job as an experienced keeper. He is promised to a great future, and is now expected to respond accordingly. At the moment, he spends most of his time in the Reserve team, where he continues learning his trade. In the goalkeepers’ hierarchy he is third to Nicolas Douchez and Johann Carrasso. In June 2010, he was crowned an U19 European Champion with France.

Recommended by John Mensah, Ghanaian defender John Boye arrived from his country on a loan agreement. On a trial in August 2008, he showed the qualities that made it a full international, and quickly convinced the Rennes staff to offer him a contract. He eventually was loaned to Rennes for a year, with the aim to consolidate his position with the reserves before aiming for a spot in the first team. In 2009, he signed his first professional contract with Rennes. An essential member of Rennes' reserve team, he extended that contract by one year, and is now at the club until June 2011. Despite a succession of poor performances with the Reserve, he was called to the professional squad by Frédéric Antonetti to cater for the injuries of several regular starters. Unexpectedly, the Ghanaian revealed himself in Ligue 1 by showing physical and defending abilities rarely seen when he played with the Rennes reserve.

Recruited after a trial in August 2007, Elderson Echiejiele had already been spotted by the Rennes scouts during the Junior World Cup, a couple of months earlier. Originally a forward and having progressively evolved to become a left full back, Echiejiele kept his attacking abilities but he had to get used to the European style of playing. Therefore, he had to spend time with the reserves team before having a chance to star in Ligue 1. His first professional appearance eventually came in December 2007, for a league game in Toulouse, with a first start as a left back. Following this first appearance, Echiejiele was regularly part of the rotation under Guy Lacombe’s management. However, he did not experience the same success under Frederic Antonetti, playing most of his football with the reserves.