Mercato Round Up
With the summer transfer window now closed, we summarise the comings and goings at le Stade de la Route de Lorient.
TRANSFERS IN
Olivier Sorin
Age: 33
Position: Goalkeeper
Previous Club: AJ Auxerre
Bought For: Free
Quote: “It’s an interesting challenge. I have already experienced Ligue 1 in the past. I know Paul George Ntep, Axel Ngando and Zana Allee with whom I played with at Auxerre last season. I want to meet all the objectives that the coach will set the group.” – Olivier Sorin
Benjamin Andre
Age: 24
Position: Defender
Previous Club: AC Ajaccio
Bought For: Free
Quote: “I already followed him when I was at Boulogne. He started playing in Ligue 1 with Ajaccio very young. All observers of football will tell you that he is a very good player. He is versatile. I’m going to play him at right back because I think he really has great potential. I think he has all the characteristics to emerge as right back. There will be competition with Romain Danze. It is essential to have two players for each position. We found this out late last season with the departure of Emerson.” – Philippe Montanier
Fallou Diagne
Age: 25
Position: Defender
Previous Club: Freiburg (Germany)
Bought For: €1.50m
Quote: “Stade Rennais is a recognised club. When I was asked to come, I did not hesitate. Many Senegalese have played for the club such as Kader Mangane and Moussa Sow. They had some great seasons here. I spoke with Gelson (Fernandes). His first impressions of the club are good. I have to prove myself because I have not played in Ligue 1.” – Fallou Diagne
Age: 25
Position: Defender
Previous Club: Nacional (Portugal)
Bought For: €2.20m
Quote: “I am excited to join Stade Rennais. It’s a dream for me to play in Ligue 1. I hope to defend the colors of the club with the greatest of success.” – Edson Mexer
Gjoko Zajkov
Age: 19
Position: Defender
Previous Club: Rabotnicki Skopje (Macedonia)
Bought For: Free
Quote: “It’s hard to find new central defenders at a very high level. He is a young defender who is already playing for Macedonia. He is very good technically and in the tackle. He is a modern central defender. We are happy to have him with us because a lot of big clubs were interested in him. He was attracted to our project. Stade Rennais FC is a good intermediate club that knows how to integrate youth. These parameters led him to join us.” – Philippe Montanier
Age: 28
Position: Midfielder
Previous Club: Freiburg (Germany)
Bought For: €1.60m
Quote: “I’m glad I’ve now joined. It was my choice to join Stade Rennais. It’s a challenge that is exciting and I am ready for the challenge. There is a very good team that is far from having exploited its potential. I was also attracted by the club facilities.” – Gelson Fernandes
Christian Bruls
Age: 25
Position: Midfielder
Previous Club: KAA Gent
Bought For: €2.20m
Quote: “We followed Christian for a long time. In particular, we already started discussions last spring. He is a player that is technically very comfortable and also has a lot of heart. He is also able to take set pieces. Last season in Nice, he was very consistent in his performance.” – Philippe Montanier
Sanjin Prcic
Age: 20
Position: Midfielder
Previous Club: FC Sochaux Montbeliard
Bought For: €1.00m
Quote: “I am very pleased to sign for the club. Everyone has welcomed me very well. This is the beginning of a new phase for me. Here, all the conditions are met to advance and enrich me. Stade Rennais has always been a very good club. It is capable of playing in Europe. I do not know them personally but I know there are experienced players who are able to guide the younger ones.” – Sanjin Prcic
Age: 24
Position: Midfielder
Previous Club: FC Zurich (Switzerland)
Bought For: €1.00m
Quote: “Shabani Nonda, who played for Zurich and Stade Rennais has said positive things about the club. I also know that there have been several Brazilians to play here. I have heard from many that Alexander Frei had great success at the club. I saw the match against Paris Saint-Germain and I was impressed with the level of the game. Even though I know Stade Rennais had a difficult last season, there is a good potential. My first goal is to get to know my new teammates and make my way into the team. I want to progress at Stade Rennais and try to help the club to have a good season.” – Pedro Henrique
Age: 27
Position: Forward
Previous Club: KAA Gent
Bought For: €2.00m
Quote: “He is able to play up front or on the wing. He has power and speed. He also has a lot of experience. He does not come to replace Ola Toivonen as he is versatile and they can play together. These are tough positions.” – Philippe Montanier
Age: 25
Position: Forward
Previous Club: Austria Vienne (Austria)
Bought For: €1.90m
Quote: “He is a striker who scores goals. He is very generous and combative in harrassing the defenders. He is a pure centre forward. It’s hard to appreciate the difficulty of the Austrian championship. But when you see how he played in the match against Zenit St Petersburg in the Champions League, he was at an international level.” – Philippe Montanier
TRANSFERS OUT
Tiemoue Bakayoko – sold to AS Monaco for €8.00m
Romain Alessandrini – sold to Olympique de Marseille for €5.00m
Jonathan Pitroipa – sold to Al-Jazira for €3.00m
Dimitri Foulquier – sold to Granada for €2.80m
Julien Feret – released (SM Caen)
John Boye – released (Kayserispor)
Cheikh N’Diaye – released
Abdoulaye Diallo – loaned to Le Havre
Sadio Diallo – loaned to Lorient
Cheick Fantamady Diarra – loaned to AJ Auxerre
Cedric Hountondji – loaned to Chateauroux
Wesley Said – loaned to Laval
Pictures courtesy of http://www.staderennais.com and http://www.alfalfastudio.com.
Les Rouges et Noirs en Anglais 