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Arrived in Rennes during the 2003 winter transfer window, Alexander Frei took some time to find his marks under Vahid Halilhodzic’s management, scoring only one goal in 13 games. However, once launched by Laszlo Bölöni, on a League Cup evening in Auxerre, the Swiss international could not stop scoring, netting 41 goals in two seasons, even becoming Ligue 1’s top goal scorer in the 2004-2005 season. Targeted by the Borussia Dormund for several seasons, and despite a last season plagued by injuries, Alex Frein eventually signed with the German side after the 2006 World Cup, ending a beautiful love story with the Stade Rennais.

A member and Captain of the 2003 Gambardella Cup winning team, “Doudou” Jacques Faty has confirmed the hopes put on him, little by a little. His good performances in Renne’s central defence made him a regular in the French U21 selection. However, Mensah’s recruitment and Bourillon’s repositioning as a centre back left him mainly on the bench, casting a gloom over the end of his 2005-2006 season. Tempted to leave the club during the 2006 summer, Jacques Faty eventually decided to stay in Rennes for another season, and profited of numerous injuries in the defensive line to gather playtime. At the end of his contract, he joined Marseille in June 2007.