back in France, Seko Fofana signs with Rennes until 2029

Ivorian international midfielder Seko Fofana (29) has signed a four and a half year contract for Rennes, the Breton club announced on Wednesday, for a sum estimated by the press at 20 million euros. “Seko Fofana, the experienced 29-year-old Ivorian international midfielder, signed this Wednesday, January 1 for a period of four and a half seasons with Stade Rennais FC”the club said in a press release. The central midfielder (22 caps) chose to try the adventure in Saudi Arabia in the summer of 2023 after three seasons at Lens, which he helped lead to the Champions League.

But in 18 months in the Saudi League Fofana has never really found his place on the pitch, whether at Al-Nassr, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, or at Al-Etiffaq, where he was loaned in 2024. Rennes needing impact, technical quality and character in midfield, he quickly positioned himself on this profile, also taking advantage of the link between the player and Arnaud Pouille, executive president of Rennes, who rubbed shoulders with Lens.

Fofana could also be joined by another player currently still with the Sang et Or, goalkeeper Brice Samba. In addition to Fofana and Samba, Rennes intends to still be active on the winter transfer market. Other avenues are being studied, such as Montpellier midfielder Joris Chotard, but Rennes will undoubtedly also have to clean up, including among the players who arrived this summer and who have not confirmed.

The Frenchman Naouirou Ahamada, on loan from Crystal Palace but who did not play a single minute, and the Finnish Glenn Kamara, whose adaptation was difficult after his recruitment to Leeds, might not last forever on the banks of the Naughty. As for Baptiste Santamaria, tried at the back by Jorge Sampaoli after losing his place in the middle to Jordan James during the last matches, he would not be against a departure, preferably abroad, at 29 years old and after three and a half years in Brittany.