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·22 May 2024
Get French Football News
·22 May 2024
Alban Lafont (25) joined FC Nantes in the summer of 2021 with his career at a crossroads. Three years and 186 games later, he is now set to depart Les Canaris having enhanced his reputation.
The France youth international played what was almost certainly his last game for Nantes during a 4-0 loss against AS Monaco on the line day of the season. Passing through the mixed zone in the Stade Louis II post-match, he not-so-cryptically said goodbye to reporters. “I won’t say see you next year,” said Lafont as he headed towards the team bus.
Indeed, Lafont is expected to leave Nantes and a new No.1 will take his place at the Beaujoire from next season. Antoine Kombouaré has since confirmed the club’s intention to part ways with the goalkeeper. “He summed up [his situation well]. For him, it’s time to leave. He has three years left on his contract. He has reached the end of his story with Nantes. He’s been around the block. We’ll see if he is still there in pre-season, but that won’t prevent me from working, he knows that. I’m going to bring about change,” said Kombouaré in an interview, transcribed by L’Équipe. After leading Nantes to safety, Kombouaré has seen his contract automatically extended.
The Nantes manager is preparing for a summer of sweeping changes. Lafont will be one of the club’s more lucrative departures but he certainly won’t be the only one.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
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