Young goalkeeper Yanel Zézé has signed his first professional contract with FC Nantes, the club announced. The 18-year-old has been with Nantes since the age of eight and has signed a deal that will keep him at the club until 2029.
Zézé has progressed through the Nantes academy, most recently serving as the goalkeeper for the club’s Under-19 team. He made 10 appearances in the national U19 championship this season, including a quarter-final match against Paris Saint-Germain. He also featured in two matches for the reserve team in National 3 and one Youth League game in November.
The signing comes as Nantes prepare for life in Ligue 2 following their relegation. The club has already bolstered its goalkeeping options with the return of Maxime Dupé following the departure of Anthony Lopes. Yanel Zézé will compete for the role of third-choice goalkeeper.
Nantes currently have Alban Lafont, recently returned from a loan spell with Panathinaikos, and Patrik Carlgren as their senior goalkeepers. Carlgren’s contract is expiring, and his future at the club remains uncertain. The arrival of Yanel Zézé provides Nantes with further depth in the position.
Yanel’s brother, Nathan Zézé, currently plays for Neom SC in Saudi Arabia, having left Nantes last summer for a fee of €20 million. This signing represents a continuation of family ties with the club. Yanel Zézé also has international experience, having represented France at the Under-17 level in September 2024.
