Le Havre AC have announced the arrival of Tanzanian forward Ally Samatta, who joins the Ligue 1 outfit on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract with Greek side PAOK Salonika.
The 32-year-old striker has put pen to paper on a one-year deal with the Normandy-based club, marking his first venture into French football.
Samatta, who will wear the number 70 shirt, brings a wealth of experience from previous spells in Belgium, Turkey, and Greece, and is expected to add depth and maturity to Le Havre’s attacking options.
Samatta’s signing is part of a broader recruitment strategy that has seen Le Havre target African talent during the summer transfer window.
He joins a squad that already includes Senegalese international goalkeeper Mory Diaw and DR Congo’s Lionel Mpasi-Nzau, both of whom were also brought in ahead of the new campaign.
Le Havre made the signing official on Wednesday, hailing the move as a strategic addition to bolster their offensive capabilities as they prepare for the rigours of top-flight football.
Samatta’s journey to Ligue 1 has been built on a strong career across Europe.
Best known for his prolific stint with Belgian club Genk, where he became a household name in the Jupiler Pro League, the Tanzanian has since gone on to feature for Fenerbahçe in Turkey and most recently, PAOK in Greece.
With his arrival, Le Havre hope to inject a proven goalscorer into their front line, as well as a player with the temperament to handle the demands of one of Europe’s most competitive leagues.
The club’s faith in Samatta underscores their ambitions for the season ahead.
His experience, combined with the recent additions of Diaw and Mpasi-Nzau, gives manager Luka Elsner a trio of seasoned African internationals to rely on as the team aims to make a strong impression in Ligue 1.
Samatta’s debut is eagerly anticipated by supporters, who hope the forward can replicate the form that once made him one of the most talked-about African strikers in Europe.
As Le Havre prepare for their opening matches of the campaign, the Tanzanian’s arrival is seen as a timely boost for their aspirations both in attack and across the dressing room.
