Gaëtan Perrin: From Non-league to Ligue 1 stardom with Auxerre
One To Watch
Auxerre's extraordinary rise this season has been helped by an ever-dependable display from veteran midfielder Gaëtan Perrin. We take a look at his story and road to success in Ligue 1 McDonald's.
Gaëtan Perrin is no stranger to Ligue 1 McDonald's. As a teenager, the young Frenchman made his debut in the league with Olympique Lyonnais in 2016 after rising through the youth ranks and scoring prolifically in the UEFA Youth League. He showed some promise, scoring his first goal for the club during a 2-0 victory against FC Nantes. Yet, he would have limited game time for the rest of the season and end up on loan to (then) Ligue 2 BKT side US Orléans.
Perrin wouldn't find himself in the top tier of French football until 2022 with AJ Auxerre's first promotion back to Ligue 1 McDonald's. He spent three years in the lower leagues of French football, suffering relegation with Orléans but bouncing back to become one of the best players in the semi-professional third tier. It brought him to the attention of Auxerre, who were aiming to return to the big time for the first time in 10 years.
In his first season at Auxerre he was the pillar of the side's attacking force. In 45 Ligue 2 BKT games he scored five goals and provided two assists for Jean-Marc Furlan's side. After the famous promotion play-off against Saint-Étienne, Perrin would find it more difficult to find play time in AJA's first season back in the elite. He bounced back in the 2023-2024 season to find his place back in the side.
WATCH: Perrin scores stunning free-kick against Lens
Perrin: "This isn't just a flash in the pan."
Under Christophe Pélissier, he has become an indisputable starter on the right wing. He made 41 appearances in all competitions, scoring 7 goals and providing 10 assists on the way to a second promotion in two years. Impressed by his impact, AJ Auxerre have renewed their faith in him by extending his contract until June 2026.
"I feel in great shape at the moment," said Perrin to local media outlet Le Pays in a recent interview. "But for me it's not just a flash in the pan. I'm very happy with how far I've come, but it's only the beginning. I have no intention of stopping now."
This season Perrin has been a star attacker for an Auxerre side punching above their weight. His highlights are already impressive: scoring a brace against Stade Rennais and a goal at the Vélodrome against Marseille. He's now managed to notch in five goals and record four assists in 11 appearances with Les Diplomates. With AJA on the brink of a potential push for European football, supporters of the club will be hoping Perrin can keep up his barnstorming form until the end of the season.
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