Benoît Trémoulinas has made a notable return to Ligue 1 with his loan move to AS Saint-Étienne (ASSE), following his departure from Dynamo Kyiv last June. The Reunion-born defender has quickly found his place in Forez and is already contemplating his future.
“I’m here to play and contribute, although I can’t plan for the future due to my unique contractual situation,” explains the French international in an interview with L’Équipe. “We’ll have to see what Dynamo decides. If I had played there, I would have stayed. At the end of the day, the athlete’s perspective matters most. The president didn’t want me to leave, but he was understanding. My purchase option is set at €4 million, so there will be substantial discussions when my contract ends. It’s merely a loan, not a permanent departure from Kyiv.”
Trémoulinas has seamlessly integrated into his new team at ASSE. Reflecting on his decision to join Saint-Étienne, he reveals, “I had discussions with my former club, Bordeaux, just a week before the end of the transfer window. However, the wage disparity was too significant. Saint-Étienne, on the other hand, showed genuine interest in recruiting me. Despite my ties to Bordeaux, I hope to return there one day. It felt odd to consider returning with Saint-Étienne when I could have gone back directly. That won’t be the case. Nevertheless, both clubs boast rich histories and top-notch facilities, including their upcoming stadium upgrades. Saint-Étienne, however, offers a more familial atmosphere. As a competitor, I’m still eager to play. I made financial compromises because of my passion for football. While I receive a significant salary, the agreement was reached in collaboration with Dynamo and Saint-Étienne, not Bordeaux.”
