Rennes making mercato moves ahead of European return
Ahead of a highly anticipated return to European football, Stade Rennais have been busy in the transfer window, registering the arrivals of six new players.
Ligue 1 McDonald's experience on the menu
Rennes will return to European competition for the first time since the 2023/24 season. The Breton club had been regulars, qualifying for some form of European competition for six consecutive seasons between 2018 and 2024, however, they missed out for the past two seasons.
As they prepare for a season that will once again include midweek games, quality and depth are being added. Ligue 1 McDonald's experience is notably on the menu at Roazhon Park.
Adrien Thomasson has arrived from Ligue 1 McDonald's rivals RC Lens. The Frenchman was outstanding for Les Sang et Or last season as he captained the side to a second-place finish in the league and to a Coupe de France win. However, with his contract up, he opted against a renewal.
๐ Mercato
โฎ ๐ Attaquant
โฎ ๐ Eliezer Mayenda ๐ pic.twitter.com/CUqiflLjjDโ Stade Rennais F.C. (@staderennais) July 5, 2026
At 32, he will bring some crucial experience, as will Nicolas Lemaitre, who, at 29, returns to France's top-flight. The former Reims, Quevilly Rouen, and Troyes goalkeeper has over 100 appearances in Ligue 2 BKT, a further 27 in Ligue 3, but just one in Ligue 1 McDonald's. Arriving on a free transfer, he will provide back-up to Brice Samba; he will also look to add to his solitary appearance in the top-flight, which came with Reims back in February 2020.
Issa Soumarรฉ is the third free agent to have joined Rennes ahead of the coming season. Although just 25 years old, he too brings experience, having accumulated close to 200 appearances in France's top three leagues (70 in Ligue 1 McDonald's, 85 in Ligue 2 BKT, 31 in Ligue 3).
Last season, he netted eight for Le Havre and now makes a step up to a European side. He isn't the only forward to have joined. Les Rennais have last season's top-scorer, Esteban Lepaul, in their team, but it hasn't prevented them from spending big in reinforcing this sector of the pitch.
A USMNT international and a Spain youth international
Arriving for over โฌ20m, Eliezer Mayenda has returned to France, joining from Sunderland. Having come through at Sochaux, the Spain youth international acquired Premier League experience last season, although he did struggle for game time under former Lorient manager Rรฉgis Le Bris. He remains an exciting prospect.
International experience has also been added in the form of USMNT defender Bryan Reynolds. The former Roma man is coming off the back of a strong season in Belgium with KVC Westerlo and will now be expected to compete for a place at right-back and regain his place in the US side, having missed out on this summer's World Cup.
ยซ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ , ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ข๐ ๐โ๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ข๐ ๐๐๐ ยป
Renfort sur le flanc droit de la dรฉfense, Bryan Reynolds s'est confiรฉ dans un entretien ร retrouver sur YouTube. Prรชt ร commencer ce nouveau chapitre en Bretagne ๐นโ Stade Rennais F.C. (@staderennais) July 10, 2026
Competing for a place alongside him in defence is Goncalo Oliveira, once again considered a player for the future. The 19-year-old centre-back never made a first-team appearance for formative club Benfica, but captained the youth side. He arrives for a nominal fee but with high expectations. Franck Haise's side have been getting their business done early, as Europe awaits.
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