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me too !

Derrick Abu signs for VAFC! Valenciennes have signed a promising young Englishman. Derrick Abu, a former England U17 international, signed a two-season contract (plus one option) with VAFC on Tuesday 1 July. The 21-year-old right-back joins from VA's partner club Southampton, where he played for the U21s. Trained at Chelsea, Derrick also played for Crystal Palace's youth team, not forgetting a spell at Harrogate Town in 2023/2024 (League Two). This highly attacking full-back has crossed the Channel to bring all his qualities to VAFC. Welcome to VA Derrick! Derrick Abu, new recruit at VAFC. "I'm delighted to be here, where the project suits me perfectly. I grew up playing for Chelsea and then I joined Southampton. Now I'm in France, I'm getting out of my comfort zone and playing abroad. I want to excel at this club so that we can reach new heights. I have an attacking profile but I like to help the team in all areas. I defend well and I can play in several positions. Mathieu Frison, VAFC sports coordinator. "We're delighted to welcome Derrick. He comes from a comprehensive training programme in England. He's an attacking right-back with very interesting athletic and technical qualities. We're going to be patient with this lad so that he can adapt and express his qualities within our team.

Happy to share, my friend! So, I know that the squad is going to change a lot and that there's going to be a lot of movement because a lot of players disappointed SR and the staff last year, few players really gave satisfaction and I think that with the arrival of the new coach, anything can happen, and everyone can potentially leave. As for the goalkeeper, after Mathieu Michel's departure for Montpellier, we've got Jean Louchet back after he was injured last season, and he's back in the number 1 position. The defence will be a major area for recruitment after the departure of Lucas Woudenberg, Bakaye Dibassy (end of contract), Ousmane Touré (end of loan), Jordan Poha (probably not retained) and Byani Mpata Lama, who announced his departure from the club last night. In midfield, we've also lost a few players, including Julien Masson, who has gone to Sochaux, and Aymen Boutoutaou, who is expected to leave for the same place, as well as Daouda Traoré, who is arriving after his loan spell with us. Axel Camblan is returning to Brest, so we'll need to recruit a few players in those positions. In attack, we've recruited Gaetan Courtet, an experienced player who has spent his entire career in France. He's not young any more and I think we'll also need to recruit other players to help score goals, as we risk losing other players, like Matthias Oyewuzi, who has leads in Turkey, and players like Nick Venema and Carneji Antoine, who won't be retained.

Normally, Southampton's B team will come here to Valenciennes to face Valenciennes' B team. I don't have the exact date yet, but I'll do what I can to be there and give you some information.

Hello friends, I hope you're well and that you're coping with the current heat across Europe. Tomorrow is the resumption of training for VA, so I'm sharing with you below a press article with the latest information from the club: VAFC : une grosse vingtaine de joueurs attendus sur le pré, mardi, pour la reprise - La Voix du Nord I wish you all a wonderful evening.

It's really good that Dragan has spoken out about the situation of the group and the club, to reassure everyone for the coming months and years. I can see that Dragan really loves Southampton and he wants the situation to stabilise and improve in all areas. Dragan is aware that not everything has been perfect and that mistakes have been made in the past and he hopes that these recent choices will pay off so that everyone is satisfied. I also think that Dragan has understood that he needs to be more vigilant about the decisions he makes and the money he invests. I sincerely hope that Dragan's future choices for Southampton will also benefit Goztepe and Valenciennes. It's good that he's given this interview to give some news and announce things for the future. Especially after the season you've just had, my friends, and I hope that next year will be more positive for you.

If anyone has the full article, I'd love to read it! Thanks in advance!

When SR joined us in the summer of 2023, they made it clear that they were in it for the medium-long term and that he wouldn't be leaving overnight. And recently, the owner (I'm thinking of Dragan), would have said that he was getting impatient and that he wanted results soon. That's why we're going through a lot of changes at the moment, and I think it'll be the same for you this year. I really don't think that SR is going to leave any time soon, from any of the 3 clubs, I think it's still early days for them.

Dear friend. I am very pleased that you have nominated me for the Correspondent's Award. I really enjoy reading you every day and I can see that there are a lot of nice members among you all. I nominate you all in the best supporters category for your loyalty to your club following the season that has just ended. My friend, I wish you a speedy recovery, come back to us in good shape! COYS !!

Above all, I think that SR wants to do well in football, but unfortunately, they're making one bad choice after another and disappointing people.

I think Ben will have more success here, because he was born in your country, played in your country and got his first taste of scouting here too. Here in France, he has never managed to adapt to football and the way it works.

VAFC will spend several days training at Southampton's facilities, and Stéphane Moulin's team will face the English side, relegated to the Championship and now coached by former RC Lens coach Will Still, behind closed doors on 18 June. Southampton - VAFC, 18 July (Training centre, behind closed doors.)

Hello friend ! Press revieuw today: National : Valenciennes partira en stage en Angleterre, le programme des matchs de préparation - La Voix du Nord

The owner (I'm guessing Dragan), has told the club that he's in a hurry to get results, and the change in strategy that's been put in place seems to be the right way forward.

4th recruit for Valenciennes unveiled a few minutes ago! Valenciennes FC

Exactly, my friend, the third summer recruit has arrived at VAFC, this time a 22-year-old goalkeeper. After the departure of Mathieu MICHEL and Pape Demba CAMARA, the club was looking for a number 2 goalkeeper to complement Jean LOUCHET. The choice of this player was made by Damien PERQUIS (goalkeeping coach). He had also chosen Jean Louchet 2 years ago shortly after the club was taken over by Sport Republic. I know the goalkeeping coach a little and there's no doubt that he made a good choice. For the time being, we VA fans are seeing coherent and logical recruitment.

2nd recruit ot Valenciennes today ! Valenciennes FC

Welcome Joshua !

around mid-July!

What's more, the start of stage 3 of the Tour de France is in Valenciennes on Monday 7 July!

Normally, a friendly match against Valenciennes should take place, but at the moment, according to my information, it should take place in your training centre and behind closed doors. I would have so much liked it to take place at Saint Mary's! 🥲

Today press: https://www.lavoixdunord.fr/1589431/article/2025-05-26/vafc-apres-gaetan-courtet-quel-mercato-valenciennes-ce-que-souhaite-stephane

It seems that shareholders here are getting impatient and are looking for quick results. The many restructuring measures already announced are moving in this direction. I hope this time it works out for VA.

You're going to get the coach of our rival team, because here at Valenciennes, we don't like Lens very much, Will has done a pretty good job, especially at Stade de Reims, at Lens it was a bit more complicated because from my point of view, he's a coach with potential and I hope he'll do a good job with you.

Hello friends, I hope you're well this Sunday. Yesterday, at the Stade du Hainaut, there was a press conference to introduce our new coach, Stéphane Moulin, with the presence of Mathieu Frison (sports coordinator) and Yoann Godin, CEO of VAFC. Here's a press article summarizing what was said: https://www.lavoixdunord.fr/1589144/article/2025-05-24/vafc-pas-ici-pour-partir-dans-un-du-temps-et-des-ambitions-au-menu-de-stephane