The mercato by the numbers!
34
Several trends were observed during the summer transfer window in Ligue 1 McDonald's, starting with the returns of veteran players, including French world champions Olivier Giroud (LOSC), Florian Thauvin (RCL), and Benjamin Pavard (OM). In total, 34 players have returned to Ligue 1 McDonald's after having spent time overseas.
69
This summer, the recruitment of French clubs was made up of plenty of internationally experienced players, since there are 69 recruits with at least one selection in for their senior national team, headlined by players like Paul Pogba (AS Monaco, 91 caps) or Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (OM, 77 caps with Gabon.)
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Gabonβs pride π¬π¦β¨ pic.twitter.com/YFketlX3Qf
β Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) September 3, 2025
46
In total, 46 nationalities are represented among the players recruited this summer in McDonald's Ligue 1, half of which are European. 14 African countries also had at least one player involved in McDonald's Ligue 1 transfers, including Tanzania for the first time in history (Mbwana Samatta to Le Havre). In the Asian zone, Indonesia is represented in the top flight for the first time with Calvin Verdonk (LOSC).
Countries represented:
Europe (22): France, Italy, Germany, England, Spain, Finland, Denmark, Portugal, Norway, Switzerland, Sweden, Turkey, Belgium, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Slovakia, Netherlands, Ireland, Poland, Austria, Serbia, Georgia.
Africa (14): Ghana, Mali, Tanzania, Togo, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Morocco, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Gabon, DR Congo.
South America (5): Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, Paraguay.
Asia (4): Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Indonesia.
North America (1): United States.
29
French clubs bought from 29 different leagues this summer. Once again, inter-Ligue 1 McDonald's moves were the most numerous per league (26).
Stade Rennais signed six of its seven new players from Ligue 1 McDonald's, the largest contingent. Conversely, RC Strasbourg Alsace did not make any purchases in France this summer, preferring to travel across the Channel (11 players).
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β Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace English (@RCSA_English) September 2, 2025
18
While all clubs recruited at least one player this summer in the top flight, RC Strasbourg Alsace was the most active with 18 signings! Several of them were already in the squad last season on loan (Omobamidele, Barco, Amo-Ameyaw, and Sarr). The Alsatian club particularly turned its attention to young players, obtaining the youngest average age of recruits among the 18 clubs.
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The age of the players recruited in Ligue 1 McDonald's has been a particularly noteworthy factor due to the significant disparity. While 30 players who arrived during the transfer window are aged 20 or younger, 21 are 30 or older. Thus, three 38-year-old players are part of the summer reinforcements (Giroud, El Arabi and Gurtner) and four are just 18 years old (Paez and Amo-Ameyaw at Strasbourg, Vignolo at Toulouse and Sanusi at Lorient).
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