Lorient and Paris FC sweep Ligue 2 BKT honours at UNFP awards

Freshly crowned Ligue 2 BKT champions, FC Lorient capped off a historic season in style by dominating the 2025 UNFP Awards ceremony in Paris on Sunday evening. The Brittany side walked away with three major individual prizes.

Olivier Pantaloni was voted Ligue 2 BKT Coach of the Year after masterminding Lorient’s return to Ligue 1 McDonald's at the first time of asking. The Corsican tactician, who joined from AC Ajaccio last summer, installed a balanced, attacking identity that saw his side lead the division from start to finish.

Eli Junior Kroupi seals player of the season

Eli Junior Kroupi has been named Ligue 2 BKT Player of the Season at the 2024 UNFP Awards, capping a standout campaign for the 18-year-old forward on loan at FC Lorient. Kroupi, who joined Bournemouth from Lorient in January before returning to the club on loan, played a decisive role in Les Merlus’ immediate promotion back to Ligue 1 McDonald's. The French youth international scored 22 goals in 33 league appearances.

Reacting to the award, Kroupi expressed mixed emotions. “I had a little pang in my heart when I left my boyhood club,” he said of his parent club Lorient. “Ligue 1 is a very big league with very good players, and leaving this league hurts a bit – but I’m not going to deny myself the chance to play in the Premier League.”

Yvon Mvogo earned the title of Ligue 2 BKT Goalkeeper of the Year, thanks to a string of commanding performances. The Swiss international brought calm and leadership to the Lorient back line during a crucial campaign.

Saïd stunning overhead kick wins goal of the season

Lorient narrowly missed out on a perfect evening, with the Ligue 2 Goal of the Season award going to Rafiki Saïd of Troyes. The winger’s stunning overhead kick against SC Bastia proved too spectacular to ignore.

Ligue 2 BKT team of the season

It was more successful for Lorient in the team of the season, with four players involved. Meanwhile Paris FC's Jean-Phillipe Krasso, Moustapha Mbow, and Maxime Lopez featured after they earned a historic promotion with the capital club. Metz pair Mathieu Udol and Guathier Hein earned their spots as their side await the promotion play-offs. Rodez winger Timothy Nkada featured along with Guingamp right back Alpha Sissoko.

Photo Credit: UNFP

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