Seko Fofana: Ivory Coast midfielder returns to Porto on loan from Rennes

Ivory Coast midfielder Seko Fofana has joined Porto from Stade Rennais on loan, returning to the Portuguese champions for a second spell after completing the move on 26 August 2026.

The 31-year-old central midfielder has agreed to remain at Porto until 30 June 2027. No transfer fee has been given for the deal.

Fofana previously played for Porto during the 2025-26 season after moving there on loan from Rennes on 2 February 2026. That spell ended on 30 June, when he returned to the French club, before Porto brought him back at the start of the new campaign.

His return follows a season in which Porto won the Portuguese title. Fofana was also involved for Ivory Coast at the 2026 World Cup, making two appearances and receiving one yellow card.

Born in Paris, Fofana represents Ivory Coast internationally and was part of the team that won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2024. He also holds French nationality.

The right-footed midfielder began his senior career with Manchester City’s under-21 side after progressing through the youth system at Lorient. He spent time on loan at Fulham and Bastia before joining Udinese permanently in 2016.

Fofana moved to Lens in 2020 for €8.5m, establishing himself in France before switching to Saudi Arabia in 2023. Al-Nassr signed him from Lens for €25m, after which he spent part of the 2023-24 season on loan at Al-Ettifaq.

Rennes then signed Fofana from Al-Nassr for €20m in January 2025. His time with the club included the temporary move to Porto, and the latest agreement now takes him back to Portugal for another season.

Fofana joins Porto as an experienced midfield option, with his previous campaign at the club ending with domestic silverware. The completed loan move keeps him at Porto through 30 June 2027.