Transfers and Contracts

Departures. After a year and a half in Brittany, Georges Mandjeck is leaving the Rouge et Noir and moving to Burgundy. The Cameroonese failed to become a first team regular in Rennes, because o a strong competition, and of some difficult relationships.

Transfer. After several months of waiting, Stade Rennes has finally completed the transfer of Mevlüt Erding. The new Rennes number 9 is eagerly awaited in Brittany, considered by many as the “missing link” in attack. Lacking playing time in Paris, he will need to regain confidence and enthusiasm with the Rouge et Noir.

The transfer window had shut yesterday at midnight, in a day where Rennes notably signed Youssouf Hadji. A look back at a much animated transfer market rich in rumours, arrivals and departures… and also in unexpected twists.

There was indeed a « plan B » after Rennes failed to sign Mevlüt Erding. By choosing to bring Youssouf Hadji back to Rennes, Stade Rennes gets an additional attacking option, despite failure to bring a real top player at the centre forward position.

Relegated to CFA2, the Reserve squad of Stade Rennais has been strengthened this summer, in particular with arrivals of young African players with « real potential » according to Pierre Dréossi. A temporary strategy to fill a generational gap or a new beginning for an extended orientation in the future ?

Transfers. Fabien Lemoine has signed a four year contract with AS Saint-Étienne this Wednesday. At 24, the midfielder saw his prospects of playing time reduce in the first team, and decided to leave in order to become a starting fixture in Ligue 1 again.

Leaving Stade Rennes behind him to sign for PSG, Nicolas Douchez thought he had taken the best decision. The arrival of Qatari investors and the recruitment of an Italian international goalkeeper are now putting his status as a first choice keeper in Paris in question. Enough to make his divorce with the Stade Rennais look like a huge waste.

Chris Mavinga, 20 years old, arrives from Liverpool to take over at the left back position for Stade Rennais. The U19 European Champion joins Rennes in order to prove he hasn’t “burnt his wings” by moving abroad.

In all likelihood, Chris Mavinga will sign a four year contract with Stade Rennais this Tuesday. A defender trained at Paris Saint-Germain and gone to England very early in his career, he is able to play at various positions. He will be in competition to become the first choice at left back.

Tomorrow, Jonathan Pitroipa should become the first recruit of the summer in Rennes. A lightweight winger, Pierre Dréossi describes him as a player able to « make a mess in any defence » with his pace and his dribbling qualities. He will have to display this potential in Ligue 1 this season.