The National Times - France goalkeeper Samba joins Rennes

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France goalkeeper Samba joins Rennes

SPORTS 08.01.2025

France goalkeeper Samba joins Rennes / Photo: © AFP/File

French international goalkeeper Brice Samba has joined Rennes from their Ligue 1 rivals Lens, the two clubs announced on Wednesday.

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The 30-year-old Congolese-born shot-stopper, who has won three caps for France and is first-choice goalkeeper Mike Maignan's regular back-up, has signed a contract to 2029.

No transfer fee was revealed for Samba, who is the second signing of the January window by Rennes following the recruitment of Ivory Coast midfielder Seko Fofana from Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia.

Samba joined Lens in 2022 from Nottingham Forest, having just helped the English club win promotion to the Premier League.

Once on the books at Marseille, he was a key member of the Lens team that finished second in Ligue 1 in 2023.

He joins a Rennes side, coached by former Argentina boss Jorge Sampaoli, who sit 13th in Ligue 1, two points above the bottom three, and is expected to take over as first-choice goalkeeper from veteran former France custodian Steve Mandanda.

E.Cox--TNT

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