Adrien Thomasson will join Rennes after deciding not to renew his contract with Lens, according to Le Parisien. The 32-year-old midfielder will move on a free transfer, bringing to an end his time in the north of France which began in January 2023.
Thomasson recently turned down a short-term contract extension from Lens, reportedly worth €120,000 gross per month, in favour of a new challenge. The player is reportedly keen to avoid a potential decline in form after a successful 2023-2024 season. He will first complete his current commitments with Lens, including the Coupe de France final against Nice on May 22nd.
Rennes will offer Thomasson European football next season, with the club’s participation in either the Champions League, Europa League, or Europa Conference League to be determined on the final day of the Ligue 1 season. The move sees Thomasson reunite with several familiar faces, including Rennes president Arnaud Pouille, coach Franck Haise, and former Lens teammates Brice Samba and Przemyslaw Frankowski.
Thomasson previously expressed surprise at Valentin Rongier’s move to Rennes earlier this season, jokingly referring to him as a “galette-saucisse” within their shared group chat. He acknowledged, however, that he could see himself making a similar move in the future. The signing is considered a significant coup for Rennes, adding a quality midfielder to their ranks alongside Rongier, Mahdi Camara, and Sebastian Szymanski. The future of Seko Fofana, who is returning from a loan spell at Porto, remains uncertain.
Thomasson has been in excellent form in recent seasons, establishing himself as one of the standout midfielders in Ligue 1. His arrival at Rennes provides further depth and quality to their midfield options as they prepare for a campaign involving European competition.
