Sevilla FC sign Le Havre captain Arouna Sangante on free transfer

Sevilla FC have completed the signing of defender Arouna Sangante from Le Havre on a free transfer. The 23-year-old centre-back, who was captain of the Ligue 1 side, has signed a five-year contract with the Spanish club.

The Senegalese defender, whose contract with Le Havre was set to expire this month, has been a target for the Andalusian club for the past two years. Sangante, a product of Le Havre's youth academy, had been with the club his entire professional career, captaining the team following their promotion to Ligue 1 in 2023.

According to L'Équipe, the versatile defender, who can also play at right-back, has been a key figure for Le Havre. He is described as a physically strong and quick defender, noted for his aerial ability and for contributing important goals. He scored crucial goals last season in a 1-1 draw with Reims and a 2-1 win over Auxerre.

Sevilla, the seven-time UEFA Europa League winners, have been tracking the player for two years and see him as a player who can contribute immediately while also having significant potential for development. Sangante is considered a leader and a player of strong character, though it is noted he has had some injury concerns and is still refining his decision-making.

The transfer represents a significant step for the 23-year-old, who will now compete in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League. For Sevilla, the signing is a strategic one, acquiring a promising, physically dominant defender on a free transfer to bolster their defensive options for the future.