Valenciennes

[ChristopheVAFC]

Two new recruits join Valenciennes today ! https://www.va-fc.com/articles/28998

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Abdelwahed Wahib signs for VAFC!

Abdelwahed Wahib is Red and White! The 25-year-old left-back signed for VAFC on Wednesday 2 July. Trained at the Mohammed VI academy in Rabat, the former Moroccan U20 international (6 caps) will join Le Havre in 2019. In Normandy, after a first season in N3 with the reserves, the defender is gradually discovering Ligue 2.

After playing three games in 2020/21, Wahib made 17 appearances for Le Havre in Ligue 2 the following season. His progress was brought to a screeching halt by a knee injury in July 2022. After a season of almost no action, the full-back signed for Concarneau in July 2023, where he made 12 appearances in Ligue 2 and 21 in the National League last season. An experienced player who will strengthen the Valenciennes defence. Welcome to VA Abdel!

Abdelwahed Wahib, new VAFC recruit: "I'm honoured to be joining VAFC. I can't wait to get started and take up this challenge. We're going to start training and prepare well for this tough competition. I'm a player who likes to play out wide. I'm also aggressive in duels. I trained for seven years in Morocco before joining Le Havre for three years. I had a serious knee injury, but I managed to return to form at Concarneau. Now I'm determined to give it everything I've got.

Mathieu Frison, VAFC sports coordinator. "Abdel is coming off a successful season in the National League. His commitment and attitude to the team make him a remarkable player. He has shown a strong desire to join us.

 

[ChristopheVAFC]

https://www.va-fc.com/articles/alexi-koum-prêté-au-vafc-!-28992

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Alexi Koum on loan to VAFC!

A young hopeful on loan to VAFC! French international at youth level (U16, U17, U18 and U19), Alexi Koum has been loaned to the Hainaut club by Olympique de Marseille until the end of the season. The 19-year-old left-back came through the Auxerre academy before joining OM in July 2024 to sign his first professional contract.

In his first season in Marseille, he played 14 games for the Marseille reserves, who play in the French National 3 league. The player took his first steps in Ligue 1 by playing eleven minutes at Geoffroy-Guichard during Marseille's victory over Saint-Etienne last December. Alexi Koum has come to the north of France to gain experience and get more playing time, and has strengthened the Valenciennes defence. Welcome to VA Alexi!

Alexi Koum, new recruit at VAFC. "I joined VAFC because I was convinced by the project presented by the club and the arrival of coach Stéphane Moulin. I'm expecting a lot of adversity in the National, which is a tough league. Power and desire are part of my qualities. I'm keen to get some game time and show what I can do for VAFC.

Mathieu Frison, VAFC sports coordinator. "Alexi is a left-back who has been training with OM's professional squad for the past year. The VA project and our previous loan successes enable us to attract this type of high-potential player. We're happy to help him continue his development."

 

Edited Wednesday at 14:30 by ChristopheVAFC

[Doctoroncall]

Two left backs. I presume there were none left at the club end of last season. 

[Tommy Mulgrew]

It’s the SR way: you can never have too many left-backs.

[chiknsmack]

12 hours ago, Doctoroncall said:

Two left backs. I presume there were none left at the club end of last season. 

There was one left; 21yo Souleymane Basse who was one of the better young prospects at the club IMO. He played most of the second half of the relegation season, and most of the second half of last season after being out injured for the first half.

Two had been released; a solid but unspectacular 31yo and a 21yo picked up from Bordeaux's academy when they went into administration who was a good attacker but an awful defender.

So now they have Basse, 25yo Wahib who looks good for this level and maybe beyond but with a major injury in his past, and 19yo Koum on loan.

[ChristopheVAFC]

The reason for recruiting the 2 left-backs is that the only one left, Souleymane Basse, is highly sought-after and is likely to leave this summer, as Valenciennes have been offered a number of attractive financial packages. The press article below explains it better than I can:

https://www.lavoixdunord.fr/1602412/article/2025-07-02/va-anticipe-un-possible-depart-de-souleymane-basse-et-enrole-deux-arrieres

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VA anticipate possible departure of Souleymane Basse and sign two left-backs

The signing of two left-backs in quick succession on Wednesday, Abdelwahed Wahib and Alexi Koum, opens the door to the departure of Souleymane Basse, who is one of the most coveted players in the Valenciennes squad.

Souleymane Basse (21, under contract until 2027) has become a fixture on Valenciennes' left flank since taking his first steps at Pau on 5 December 2023, the night the door closed on Jorge Maciel. VA are not pushing the Senegalese towards the exit, but they know the player is coveted.

So, in a way, it was in anticipation of a departure that he went in search of two left-backs, whose signatures were made official on Wednesday. The first, Abdelwahed Wahib (25), joins from Concarneau, where he has played a total of 33 league games over the last two seasons (12 in Ligue 2 and 21 in the French national side). A Moroccan U20 international, he discovered L2 at Le Havre, who gave him a chance in 2019. However, a cruciate knee ligament rupture put the brakes on his progress and kept him out of action for a full season (2022-2023).

Younger (19) and still learning his trade, French international Alexi Koum (U16, U17, U18 and U19) is on loan from Olympique de Marseille, where he made just one appearance in Ligue 1 (coming on as a substitute against Saint-Etienne in December 2024). A graduate of AJ Auxerre's youth academy (2021-2024), he played for Marseille's reserve team in the N3 division last season.

 

[ChristopheVAFC]

Dear friends,

I told you that the off-season was going to be hectic for Valenciennes with a team that is going to change a lot and I'm giving you an update below on the current movements at the club, and I'm told that it's not over yet, a few more arrivals are expected here at VA.

Departures from the club:

- (Goalkeeper) Mathieu MICHEL / End of contract -> Montpellier HSC (Ligue 2)
- (Goalkeeper) Pape CAMARA / End of contract -> Free
- (Left-back) Byani MPATA Lama / End of contract -> Free
- (Central defender) Ousmane TOURE / End of loan -> LOSC Lille (Ligue 1)
- (Midfielder) Axel CAMBLAN / End of loan -> Stade Brestois (Ligue 1)
- (Central defender) Bakaye DIBASSY / End of contract -> Free
- (Central defender) Lucas WOUDENBERG / End of contract -> Free
- (Forward) Nick VENEMA / Termination of contract -> FC Dordrecht (Division 2 - Netherlands)
- (Forward) Carneji ANTOINE / Termination of contract -> Free
- (Defensive midfielder) Julien MASSON / End of contract -> FC Sochaux (National)
- (Attacking midfielder) Aymen BOUTOUTAOU / End of contract -> FC Sochaux (National)
- (Attacking midfielder) Kylian GASNIER / End of loan -> Pau FC (Ligue 2)
- (Front centre) Yacine HAOUARI / Entente Feignies Aulnoye (National 2)
- (Right-back) Tanguy LIENARD / Entente Feignies Aulnoye (National 2)
- (Central defender) Philippe NDINGA OSSIBADJOUO / End of contract -> Free
- (Central midfield) Daouda TRAORE / End of loan -> Southampton FC

Arrivals at the club:

- (Defensive midfielder) Jules COLLET / Signature contrat professionnel
- (Forward) Gaetan COURTET / USL Dunkerque (Ligue 2)
- (Defensive midfielder) Mabrouck ROUAI / Aubagne FC (National)
- (Goalkeeper) Julien LACOMBE / Toulouse FC (Ligue 1)
- (Left winger) Alain IPIELE / Martigues (Ligue 2)
- (Attacking midfielder) Daou Kader DIOMANDE / Paris 13 Atletico (National)
- (Right-back) Derrick ABU / Southampton FC U21
- (Left-back) Alexi KOUM / Olympique de Marseille (Ligue 1)
- (Left-back) Abdelwahed WAHIB / Le Havre (Ligue 1)

- (Right-Winger) Streddair APPUAH / new loan to Valenciennes for all season 

- (Central defender) Romain THOMAS / Stade Malherbe de Caen (National)

Current departure rumours:

- (Left-back) Souleymane BASSE / several offers?
- (Forward) Matthias OYEWUZI / Turkey ?

Edited 19 hours ago by ChristopheVAFC

[ChristopheVAFC]

Update: Streddair APPUAH returns to Valenciennes on season-long loan !

https://www.va-fc.com/articles/29001

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Stredair Appuah returns to VAFC on loan!

Barely gone and already back! Stredair Appuah returned to Valenciennes on loan from Italian club Palermo from January to June this year. The eccentric striker, who returns on a season's loan, made a remarkable first appearance last season with VA, with whom he played 13 National League games (3 goals, 1 assist). Now a veteran of the National Championship, the 21-year-old will continue his rise to prominence in the Hainaut attack. Welcome back to VA Stredair!

Stredair Appuah, new VAFC recruit: "I'm very happy to be back at VA. It's a club and a town that I know quite well. I think coming here was the best choice for my progression. I already know the players, I know the town a little, I know the club. I'm returning to my roots. I think it was the best choice for my progression, and for the rest of my career too. The six months I spent here last season gave me a lot of confidence and a lot of pleasure. It's true that being out on the pitch again, playing regularly and getting minutes, did me a world of good. And I think that if I do more or less the same things as I did in the second half of the season, I can win the hearts of the fans and move forward with this wonderful club.

Mathieu Frison, sports coordinator at VAFC. "We're very pleased to see Stredair return to VAFC. He really stepped up his game during his last loan spell, with some decisive actions in important matches. Despite numerous requests for his services, he was determined to return to VAFC in order to prove himself over a full season. We're going to gain time with a player who already knows our environment and its expectations."

 

[SuperSAINT]

Thanks for this Christophe. 
Are there any arrivals are you would say are particularly exciting or would be typically above the level you are currently playing at?

[ChristopheVAFC]

6 hours ago, SuperSAINT said:

Thanks for this Christophe. 
Are there any arrivals are you would say are particularly exciting or would be typically above the level you are currently playing at?

Don't worry, my friend, I'd love to!

On the list of arrivals at Valenciennes, I like our new striker, Gatean COURTET, an experienced player with a warrior's mentality, and here, we like warriors!

As for the others, I'm very happy too. Mathieu Frison, Ben Chorley's replacement, is using a completely different strategy to build the team.

That appeals to a lot of supporters here, and at the moment we're optimistic for next season.

Of course, the most important thing will be the pitch and the sporting results!

[ChristopheVAFC]

Another new recruit officially announced today! (and it's not over yet!)

https://www.va-fc.com/articles/29024

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Romain Thomas, an experienced defender at VAFC!

It's an impressive CV that has just joined VAFC. With 499 games played in all competitions, Romain Thomas knows what experience means. His statistics are enough to make you dizzy: 219 games in Ligue 1 with Angers (14 goals), 172 games in Ligue 2 with Brest, Angers and Caen (14 goals), not forgetting 64 games in the National between Pacy-sur-Eure and Carquefou, not to mention 35 Coupe de France matches (including a final in 2017) and 9 in the Coupe de la Ligue.

The 37-year-old central defender, who has signed a season-long contract with VA, knows French football inside out. A true leader, he is a welcome addition to the Valenciennes defence and dressing room. Welcome to VA Romain!

Romain Thomas, VAFC's new recruit. "I felt that VAFC were enthusiastic about bringing me in. First of all, I wanted to see how I felt, but this club, which has great facilities, made me want to push my career even further and contribute what I can. I ended last season badly at Caen because I injured my Achilles tendon, but today everything is back to normal. Passion and pleasure explain my longevity. Today, I want to pass on my passion. It's a fantastic job and I want to pass that on to the younger generation. I take my role as manager to heart. I come here to try and get results and I think there are some great things to be done here. I'd like to experience some wonderful things again. VA is a club that deserves to go higher.

Mathieu Frison, VAFC sports coordinator. "Romain is a very experienced player with a remarkable career. He is renowned for his work ethic. He knows perfectly how Stéphane Moulin works and his principles, which is invaluable if we are to perform as quickly as possible."

 

[SuperSAINT]

15 minutes ago, ChristopheVAFC said:

Don't worry, my friend, I'd love to!

On the list of arrivals at Valenciennes, I like our new striker, Gatean COURTET, an experienced player with a warrior's mentality, and here, we like warriors!

As for the others, I'm very happy too. Mathieu Frison, Ben Chorley's replacement, is using a completely different strategy to build the team.

That appeals to a lot of supporters here, and at the moment we're optimistic for next season.

Of course, the most important thing will be the pitch and the sporting results!

Thanks mate.  What’s the new strategy? More experience? 

[ChristopheVAFC]

Just now, SuperSAINT said:

Thanks mate.  What’s the new strategy? More experience? 

• Jules COLLET

A young player from our academy, he has been at Valenciennes for six years now—a promising talent in my opinion.

• Gaetan COURTET

A seasoned 36-year-old striker who has spent his entire career in France (Stade de Reims, Stade Brestois, AJ Auxerre, FC Lorient, AC Ajaccio, EA Guingamp and USL Dunkerque). He averages about 10 goals per season.

• Mabrouck ROUAI

He’s coming off a solid season with Aubagne (3 goals and 5 assists). A dribbler-type profile and quite tricky to mark.

• Julien LACOMBE

A young goalkeeper from Toulouse FC, he will be our number 2 behind Jean Louchet. In my view, he’s got potential for the future.

• Alain IPIELE

A 27-year-old left winger who joins us from Martigues (Ligue 2). Not much information, but it seems he made a good impression last season.

• Daou Kader DIOMANDE

This player comes from Paris 13, a team we faced last year. A good pick-up in my opinion.

• Derrick ABU

A young player from Southampton’s U21s. I’ve read many comments from Saints fans who say Derrick is a very interesting player who could bring a lot to our side.

• Alexi KOUM

On loan from Olympique de Marseille. I don’t know him that well, but I do know he’s here to get game time and will give his all for the shirt.

• Abdelwahed WAHIB

A left-back who will compete with Alexi KOUM, also a left-back. I don’t know him either, but he’ll have to earn his spot.

• Streddair APPUAH

Already on loan with us from January 2025. He had a strong half-season and chose to come back despite having other offers.

• Romain THOMAS

A natural centre-back who knows our coach (Stéphane MOULIN) very well, having played under him at Stade Malherbe Caen. I believe he’ll give his all on the pitch.

[SuperSAINT]

4 minutes ago, ChristopheVAFC said:

• Jules COLLET

A young player from our academy, he has been at Valenciennes for six years now—a promising talent in my opinion.

• Gaetan COURTET

A seasoned 36-year-old striker who has spent his entire career in France (Stade de Reims, Stade Brestois, AJ Auxerre, FC Lorient, AC Ajaccio, EA Guingamp and USL Dunkerque). He averages about 10 goals per season.

• Mabrouck ROUAI

He’s coming off a solid season with Aubagne (3 goals and 5 assists). A dribbler-type profile and quite tricky to mark.

• Julien LACOMBE

A young goalkeeper from Toulouse FC, he will be our number 2 behind Jean Louchet. In my view, he’s got potential for the future.

• Alain IPIELE

A 27-year-old left winger who joins us from Martigues (Ligue 2). Not much information, but it seems he made a good impression last season.

• Daou Kader DIOMANDE

This player comes from Paris 13, a team we faced last year. A good pick-up in my opinion.

• Derrick ABU

A young player from Southampton’s U21s. I’ve read many comments from Saints fans who say Derrick is a very interesting player who could bring a lot to our side.

• Alexi KOUM

On loan from Olympique de Marseille. I don’t know him that well, but I do know he’s here to get game time and will give his all for the shirt.

• Abdelwahed WAHIB

A left-back who will compete with Alexi KOUM, also a left-back. I don’t know him either, but he’ll have to earn his spot.

• Streddair APPUAH

Already on loan with us from January 2025. He had a strong half-season and chose to come back despite having other offers.

• Romain THOMAS

A natural centre-back who knows our coach (Stéphane MOULIN) very well, having played under him at Stade Malherbe Caen. I believe he’ll give his all on the pitch.

Top stuff!  Thank you.

Really intrigued how Derek Abu is going to get on — very good in the PL2, but is old enough to go and get games.  I’m hopeful he will do a good job.  Very good going forwards from right back. 

[S-Clarke]

I think Abu will be a good player at that level, it'll give him the chance to develop. He was seriously highly rated at Chelsea, similar to that Simeu lad we had - neither made it with us, but I think both will have good lower level careers. We fought off some PL interest to get Abu on a free if I remember rightly.

He's a good pickup for the French National league, no doubts.