Mercato: OM Adds Rulli; Wiley on Loan to Strasbourg and More

Olympique de Marseille and RC Strasbourg have announced the arrivals of players that they feel will give them the best shot at securing a European competition spot for the 2025-26 season while also challenging reigning Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain for the league title this campaign.

Marseille welcome a new FIFA World Cup winner

Pau López started 49 matches across all competitions for OM last season, but Les Olympiens have opted to bolster their goalkeeping depth even more with the arrival of Gerónimo Rulli, who comes over from Ajax. The 32-year-old has a lot of experience and has won several trophies during his career like the World Cup in 2022 and 2024 Copa América with Argentina and the 2021 UEFA Europa League with Villarreal.

Rulli's football career began in Argentina with his boyhood club, Estudiantes de La Plata. He made the jump to European football in 2014, playing for Real Sociedad while making 170 total appearances for the Spanish club. Rulli would get his first taste of Ligue 1 football during a loan stint at Montpellier HSC during the 2019-20 season, making 28 total appearances for the French club.

After his time at Montpellier ended, the Argentine went to Villarreal, where he played from 2020 to 2023. Following his departure from the La Liga side, Rulli played last season with Ajax, making 32 total appearances. The veteran shot-stopper is back in Ligue 1 with Marseille and ready to challenge for minutes as the squad's starting goalkeeper.

An American comes to Strasbourg

Strasbourg have Andrey Santos on loan from Chelsea and the Blues are sending another young player on loan to the Ligue 1 side. Le Racing have added former Atlanta United defender Caleb Wiley to bolster its defense for the 2024-25 season.

The American standout broke through Atlanta United's first team in 2022 and made 85 total appearances for the MLS club. Wiley scored six goals while registering seven assists across all competitions with his performance paving the way for a move to Chelsea. 

Wales international arrives in Brittany

Stade Rennais have bolstered their midfield with the arrival of Jordan James, who left Birmingham City to continue his career in France. It's the first time James leaves England as he came up through Birmingham City's youth system. The 20-year-old made 105 total appearances for the Blues during his four years with the club, scoring ten goals and registering two assists.

Photo credit: @OM_English

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