25/26 Season Preview #7: FC Lorient

Last season: Ligue 2 BKT champions

After a chaotic campaign that ended in relegation from Ligue 1 McDonald’s, FC Lorient bounced back instantly. Under the guidance of new coach Olivier Pantaloni, the Merlus were crowned Ligue 2 BKT champions with a functional, pragmatic style — helped massively by the league’s top scorer in Éli Junior Kroupi (22 goals). Despite the departure of several key figures, including Kroupi, Yvon Mvogo, Julien Ponceau and Julien Laporte, the club enters its centenary season grounded in a more cautious, sustainable philosophy.

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The coach: Olivier Pantaloni

Olivier Pantaloni’s appointment in the summer of 2024 raised eyebrows, but the former Ajaccio boss restored clarity to a club that had fallen dramatically from grace in Ligue 1 McDonald's the previous season. Having implemented a back-three system this summer, Pantaloni will now aim to guide the club to safety without sacrificing the discipline and balance that secured promotion.

Key arrivals

Lorient’s summer has been frugal by necessity and design. The most high-profile signing is goalkeeper Bingourou Kamara (Pau), joined by versatile midfielder Noah Cadiou (Rodez) and defender Arsène Kouassi (Ajaccio), all plucked from Ligue 2 BKT. The trio is emblematic of Lorient’s desire to return to the basics: spotting undervalued talent and giving them a platform in the top flight.

Key departures

The exodus began early. Eli Junior Kroupi’s breakout season earned him a move abroad, while Mvogo, Ponceau and Laporte also moved on. Unlike the 2023-2024 season's extravagant additions — notably Benjamin Mendy and Tiémoué Bakayoko — the exits this year were calculated and largely expected.

Key player?

Captain Laurent Abergel remains the most experienced leader in this side. He already stuck with Les Merlus following relegation last season, and made 32 appearances in Ligue 2 BKT last season. His experience already in Ligue 1 McDonald's will be vital if Lorient are to compete this season following their promotion.

Young player to watch

Arthur Avom flew under the radar in Ligue 1 last time around, but his 2024/25 Ligue 2 BKT season changed that. The 20-year-old box-to-box midfielder made 32 appearances, scoring twice and assisting six. A gold medallist at the 2023 Jeux de la Francophonie, Avom has already impressed with his stamina, tactical intelligence, and late runs into the box. If he stays beyond the end of the transfer window, he could be a revelation.

Remember when…

Lorient’s 2022/23 season was, briefly, dreamlike. Sitting third in Ligue 1 McDonald's in October under Régis Le Bris, the team played vibrant attacking football before a spectacular collapse. The regression — and €60m spent over three transfer windows — eventually led to a total rethink. Now, in 2025, club president Loïc Féry is clear: “We’re not about to see Maseratis in the parking lot again.”

Cult Hero: Kevin Gameiro (2008–2011)

While he went on to win European titles with Sevilla and play for France and Paris Saint-Germain, Gameiro’s breakout at Lorient was electrifying. His pace and goal-scoring instinct helped Christian Gourcuff’s side punch above their weight. His partnership with Morgan Amalfitano is fondly remembered by Ligue 1 McDonald's and Lorient fans alike.