Transfer: Brice Samba Joins Rennes on Three-Year Deal from Lens

French goalkeeper Brice Samba has joined Rennes from Lens on a three-year deal, bolstering the Ligue 1 club's goalkeeping options.

Rennes has secured the services of French international goalkeeper Brice Samba, signing him to a three-year deal from fellow Ligue 1 side Lens. The transfer was announced jointly by the two clubs on Wednesday, marking a significant addition to Rennes' squad.

Samba, a 30-year-old Congolese-born goalkeeper, boasts an impressive international resume, having earned three caps for France. He serves as the regular backup to first-choice goalkeeper Mike Maignan. As part of the transfer, Samba has committed to Rennes until 2029, although the terms of the deal, including the transfer fee, were not disclosed.

Samba's arrival at Rennes represents the club's second major signing of the January transfer window. Earlier, the team recruited Ivory Coast midfielder Seko Fofana from Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr. With these additions, Rennes aims to bolster its squad and make a strong push in the second half of the Ligue 1 season.

Brice Samba's move to Rennes marks another milestone in his career, which has seen him play for several prominent clubs. Prior to joining Lens in 2022, Samba was instrumental in helping Nottingham Forest secure promotion to the Premier League.

Le SRFC est heureux d’annoncer l’arrivée de Brice Samba en provenance de Lens. ✍️

Reconnu parmi les meilleurs gardiens du Vieux Continent, l’international français est un nouvel atout pour les Rouge et Noir. 🗞️

— Stade Rennais F.C. (@staderennais) January 8, 2025

Samba's time at Lens was marked by significant success, as he played a crucial role in the team's impressive second-place finish in Ligue 1 in 2023. Having previously been on the books at Marseille, Samba now joins Rennes, where he is expected to become the first-choice goalkeeper under coach Jorge Sampaoli, potentially taking over from veteran Steve Mandanda. Rennes currently sits 13th in Ligue 1, just two points above the relegation zone.