FC Nantes sign Mali defender Fodé Doucouré on three-year deal

FC Nantes have announced the signing of Malian international defender Fodé Doucouré from Le Havre AC on a three-year contract.

The 25-year-old defender has committed his future to the Ligue 2 club until June 2029, arriving as an important addition to Nantes’ defensive department ahead of the new campaign.

Doucouré joins Nantes with significant experience of French football, having featured in both Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 during his career. He has accumulated 162 appearances across the two divisions, giving him a strong understanding of the demands and intensity of French professional football.

The Malian international began his football journey at JMG Bamako before making the move to Europe and joining Stade de Reims. He later continued his development with Red Star, whom he joined in 2022, before most recently representing Le Havre.

During his time in France, Doucouré has established himself as a physically strong and dependable defender. His athleticism, defensive awareness and experience are expected to provide Nantes with greater depth and competition at the back.

His arrival also gives the club a player who is already familiar with the French league system, potentially allowing him to settle quickly into his new surroundings and adapt to Nantes’ tactical approach.

For Doucouré, the move represents another significant step in his career as he takes on a new challenge after his spell with Le Havre. The defender will now be hoping to play a central role in Nantes’ campaign and justify the club’s decision to hand him a long-term contract.

Nantes will be counting on the Malian international’s experience and defensive solidity as they look to strengthen their squad. With his contract running until June 2029, Doucouré has been brought in as part of the club’s longer-term plans.

The transfer also marks the latest chapter in a career that has seen the defender rise from the JMG Bamako academy to becoming an established player in French professional football and an international with Mali.