Serge Aurier poised for surprise move to seventh division in France

Former Paris Saint-Germain defender Serge Aurier is expected to join seventh-division French side FC Montigny-en-Gohelle after leaving Iranian club Persepolis FC as a free agent.

The 33-year-old right-back is set to make the move to Régional 2, according to information from La Voix du Nord, marking a major change in direction after a career spent largely in professional football.

Aurier has most recently played in Iran with Persepolis FC. Before that, the defender had spells in Spain, England and Turkey, but his next move is expected to take him into the amateur game in France.

The move would also bring Aurier closer to a region that has remained important throughout his career.

Aurier was trained at RC Lens and spent three seasons with the club between 2009 and 2012. His connection with the area has continued since his playing days there, and he is currently working as the U15 coach for the Artois club.

His expected move to FC Montigny-en-Gohelle would allow him to return to playing while continuing his coaching responsibilities.

For FC Montigny-en-Gohelle, the arrival of a player with Aurier’s professional experience represents an unexpected signing and is likely to attract greater attention to the club in the coming weeks.

The club has already attracted attention for bringing former Lille player Ronny Rodelin to its ranks a year and a half ago.

Aurier’s move would therefore add another former top-level player to the club and provide a notable link between professional football and the amateur game.

After playing at some of Europe’s biggest clubs and representing Persepolis in Iran, Aurier now appears ready to begin a different chapter of his football career in the seventh tier of French football.

The proposed move to FC Montigny-en-Gohelle would complete an unusual journey for the former PSG defender, taking him from the professional game back to the amateur pitches of Hauts-de-France.