Henri Saivet joins SM Caen as Senegalese-French midfielder signs deal until 2027

Senegalese-French midfielder Henri Saivet has joined SM Caen after a spell without a club, signing a contract that runs until 30 June 2027.

The 35-year-old central midfielder moves to Caen on 3 September, having been without a club since leaving Clermont Foot on 1 July. No transfer fee has been disclosed for the move.

Saivet brings extensive experience of French football, with 161 Ligue 1 appearances and 129 in Ligue 2. He has scored 18 goals in the top flight and 23 in the second tier, while also providing 12 Ligue 1 assists and 11 in Ligue 2.

Born in Dakar, Saivet holds Senegalese and French nationality and stands 1.75m tall. He is right-footed and operates primarily in central midfield.

His most recent club was Clermont Foot, whom he joined from Pau FC in July 2024. Saivet spent two seasons with Pau after a period without a club, having left Newcastle in 2021.

Earlier in his career, he spent more than a decade with Bordeaux, progressing through the club’s youth system before moving into senior football. He made 161 Ligue 1 appearances during his career, including his time with Bordeaux and Newcastle, and also played in Turkey for Sivasspor and Bursaspor.

Saivet’s previous experience includes 41 appearances in the Turkish Super Lig, as well as 23 Europa League matches and five Premier League appearances. He also recorded four Europa League qualifying appearances and featured once in the Champions League.

During his time at Bordeaux, Saivet won the French championship, French League Cup and French Super Cup in the 2008-09 season. He added the French Cup in 2012-13, giving him four major domestic honours from his spell with the club.

The move to Caen places Saivet back in France after his recent spells with Pau FC and Clermont Foot. His new contract secures his place at SM Caen through the end of June 2027.

Saivet has now completed his move to SM Caen after leaving Clermont Foot and spending two months without a club.