FC Annecy sealed its summer transfer window on Tuesday night with the signing of Ivorian U23 international Souleymane Fofana. The Ligue 2 club concluded an active period with eleven new arrivals.
Fofana, who had previously been on trial in January, joins on loan from Aston Villa. The 22-year-old attacker was the best player in Ivory Coast's first division last season, scoring 16 goals and providing 6 assists for ASEC Mimosas. His arrival completes a heavily reshaped squad, with the team currently sitting 6th in the league table with 7 points from four games. Their record is two wins, one draw, and one loss, with a +1 goal difference (5 scored, 4 conceded).
The final day of the window also saw the official signing of central defender Jonathan Do Marcolino from Rennes. He joins a defense already bolstered by high-profile recruits like Samuel Oduro, who arrived from FC Barcelona. Midfielder Aboubacar Koné and attacker Nathan Redmond also returned from their loans at Aston Villa, while American prospect Matthew Mozie was signed from Legia Warsaw. These movements can be reviewed in detail on our dedicated squad page.
Annecy's transfer activity was significant in both directions. Midfielder Cesare Casadei, who arrived from Basel, ultimately left the club as his loan was cut short. Several other loan spells ended, sending players like Rowe, Patterson, and Gomes Rodriguez back to Aston Villa, Basel, and Olympique Lyonnais. Permanent departures also occurred, including Touré's move to Barnsley and Paris's transfer to Reims.
After this overhaul, manager Laurent Guyot has a larger and more competitive group at his disposal. The club now has three goalkeepers, nine defenders, thirteen midfielders, and four forwards. This depth will be needed for a busy schedule, as FC Annecy trails the leader, Saint-Étienne, by five points. The cohesion of this new group will be tested quickly.
The next test is an away trip to local rivals Grenoble on September 4th. This Alpine derby against Grenoble, currently 13th, is an important fixture for consolidating their position in the upper half of the table. All upcoming matches are listed on our fixtures calendar.
The rapid integration of the new signings, particularly Souleymane Fofana, will be key. The Ivorian player brings offensive power and a different profile to the attacking midfield. His adaptation to the pace of Ligue 2 and Guyot's tactics is the next concrete objective for the coaching staff. The team must build on its recent form, reflected in its league sequence (Loss, Win, Win).
With the transfer window now closed, that chapter is over. All focus shifts to preparing for the match against Grenoble, a fixture set for Friday, September 4, 2026.
