Elyaz Zidane, the youngest son of former France captain Zinédine Zidane, will play in France next season after signing for Red Star FC. The Ligue 2 club, who finished fourth in the league last season and lost in the promotion play-off to Rodez, announced the arrival of the 20-year-old left-footed centre-back on Saturday. Zidane joins from Real Betis, where he was playing for the reserve team in the Spanish third tier.
Born in Marseille in December 2005, shortly before the end of his father’s playing career, Elyaz has represented France at all youth levels from under-17 to under-20. He recently participated in the Under-20 World Cup, where France finished in third place. This move sees him follow in the footsteps of his older brother, Enzo, who had a brief spell with Rodez in Ligue 2 during the 2021-2022 season before retiring from professional football in 2024 at the age of 29.
Red Star’s pursuit of Zidane indicates a desire to strengthen their defensive options as they aim to improve on last season’s play-off heartbreak. The club narrowly missed out on promotion, losing 3-2 on aggregate to Rodez, and will hope Zidane’s arrival contributes to a more successful campaign. For Zidane, the move represents an opportunity to develop his career in his home country and showcase his talent in a competitive league.
His brothers, Théo and Luca, are also currently navigating their footballing careers. Théo Zidane is currently a free agent after his contract with Cordoba in the Spanish second division expired on June 30th, while goalkeeper Luca Zidane, under contract with Granada, recently represented Algeria at the World Cup. The transfer of Elyaz to Red Star FC continues the family’s connection to professional football and provides a new chapter for the youngest Zidane brother.
