His exposure in Ligue 1 may be limited, but Pape Ndiaye Souaré, a 22-year-old international Senegalese Espoirs player, has recently joined Stade de Reims, showcasing immense potential despite his modest playing time. The formal announcement of his recruitment took place this Sunday.
Souaré, a left defender who has also represented Senegal’s A team, was originally scouted by Lille during a tournament in Croix (North) while honing his skills at the Diambars Institute, a training center supported by Bernard Lama. Since joining Lille in 2008, he has been under contract until 2015. Stade de Reims has secured his services on loan without an option to purchase, demonstrating their investment in his development. Frédéric Bompard, former stadium manager at Stade and currently assistant to Rudi Garcia in Lille, emphasizes the importance of this move: “It shows that we care about him. We can’t get rid of him.” Due to intense competition at Lille, Souaré hasn’t had ample playing time, and this loan is seen as an opportunity for him to gain valuable experience and return as a stronger and more mature player.
Pape Ndiaye Souaré, who played as a left midfielder for Senegal during the last Olympics, is primarily a defender, capable of playing on the left or in the center. His arrival at Reims is intended to bolster their defensive lineup in front of goalkeeper Kossi Agassa. Although initially expected to play on the side, his training as a left central defender offers flexibility in his positioning. Bompard notes, “Each time we used him, it was as a full-back, and he gave us satisfaction.”
Described as a player with excellent passing skills, especially in long-range plays, and a threat from set pieces due to his strong heading ability, Souaré is purely left-footed, lean, and athletic (1.78 m and 68 kg). Despite the challenge presented by the double suspension of Weber and Tacalfred in the upcoming match against Sochaux, Souaré may be thrust into action sooner than expected. The anticipation is high at Reims, and his versatility and skills are expected to make a significant impact.
