AJ Auxerre have announced the signing of goalkeeper Paul Nardi on a free transfer, the club confirmed on Thursday. The 32-year-old joins Auxerre following the departure of Donovan Leon to Saudi Arabia.
Nardi arrives at the Stade Abbe-Deschamps without a club, having left Queens Park Rangers at the end of his contract in June. He had spent two seasons with QPR, making 63 appearances for the Championship side.
This move represents Nardi’s ninth club in a career that has seen him feature for Rennes, Monaco, Lorient, and La Gantoise amongst others. While he initially established himself as a key player for QPR under manager Julien Stéphan, he ultimately lost his starting position towards the end of last season.
At Auxerre, Nardi will compete with current goalkeeper Mamadou Diop for a place in the starting eleven under head coach Will Still. The club will be looking for Nardi to provide stability in goal following Leon’s move, and his experience in multiple European leagues will be valuable. The departure of Leon, alongside De Percin, leaves Auxerre needing to reinforce their goalkeeping options.
The signing of Nardi provides Auxerre with an experienced option between the posts as they prepare for the upcoming Ligue 1 season. His arrival is expected to bolster competition for places and provide a reliable alternative to Diop.
