Valentin Rongier Brings Veteran Presence to Rennes’ Midfield

The 30-year-old has spent time with FC Nantes and Olympique de Marseille, and now he’s set to bring that veteran experience to Rennes as the club aims for a strong season under manager Habib Beye, who’s heading into his first full year in charge.

Rennes will be adding a player who won’t need to adapt to French football, having played 271 games in Ligue 1 McDonald’s. Rongier’s path to being a reliable player in France’s top flight began in 2000.

After one season at Saint-Herblain OC, Rongier left to join Nantes’ youth system in 2001 and would be at the club for 18 years. The midfielder would crack the first team in 2014 and make 135 total appearances, scoring 10 goals and recording 13 assists.

Despite spending nearly two decades with Nantes, Rongier would leave in 2019 to join Marseille. He would play seven years with OM, making 196 total appearances while scoring six goals and 11 assists during his time at the club.

Once his tenure with OM was over, Arnaud Pouille, the Executive Chairman of Rennes, noted that the club needed to bring Rongier to Les Rouge et Noirs because of one major quality that stands out to them.

🎙️ Renfort Rouge et Noir, passé par Nantes et Marseille, Valentin Rongier s'est confié face caméra.

L'entretien complet sur YouTube ⤵️#Rongier2028
— Stade Rennais F.C. (@staderennais) July 21, 2025

“Valentin is an important addition for the club. He’s a player who needs no introduction, having established himself as a leader on Ligue 1 pitches for over a decade. We’re happy to have him join us and look forward to seeing him showcase his talent in a Stade Rennais F.C. shirt.”

While leadership is essential, Loïc Désiré, Sporting Director of Rennes, noted that on the pitch, Rongier has plenty to offer to the squad as they attempt to improve on their 12th-place finish from last season.

“Valentin perfectly fits the profile we were looking for in a midfielder—he checks all our boxes. The opportunity presented itself, and we took it. He’s a major addition to the squad, a true leader who will suit the style of play promoted by Habib and his staff. His experience and character will be valuable assets in guiding our young players.”

Although Rongier made a strong impact at both Nantes and Marseille, he has yet to win a trophy at the senior level. Now at Rennes, the midfielder will be hoping to finally get his hands on some silverware—whether it’s the Coupe de France, the Ligue 1 McDonald’s title, or perhaps an international trophy.