AS Saint-Étienne have completed the signing of highly rated Senegalese full-back Lassana Traoré, with the 18-year-old penning a contract that will keep him at the club until 2029.
The young left-back, a product of the prestigious Diambars Academy in Senegal, has long been regarded as one of the most promising talents in his age group.
His performances on the continental stage helped cement that reputation, with standout displays during Senegal’s victorious campaigns at both the 2023 U17 Africa Cup of Nations and the U20 competition that followed.
Recognised for his defensive discipline and maturity beyond his years, Traoré quickly caught the attention of Saint-Étienne’s recruitment team.
After impressing during a scouting mission in Senegal, he was recommended to the club’s hierarchy by sporting director Loïc Perrin, who has spoken positively about the teenager’s development trajectory.
“He still has a lot to learn and needs time to adapt,” Perrin noted. “But his potential is clear. He reads the game well, he’s consistent, and he comes from a very solid football education. We have confidence in him and believe this is the right environment for him to grow.”
Traoré is set to join Saint-Étienne’s first-team squad immediately, marking the beginning of what the club hopes will be a fruitful European journey for the defender.
While expectations are being managed carefully, there is no doubt that his arrival is seen as an investment in the future.
For Diambars, the move is another validation of its status as a breeding ground for elite football talent in Senegal.
The academy has developed a number of players who have made the leap to Europe, and Traoré’s transfer continues that tradition.
AS Saint-Étienne, a club with a proud history and a renewed ambition to return to the top flight of French football, will be hoping that Traoré’s integration into the senior set-up helps bolster their defensive options in the seasons ahead.
Though still young, the Senegalese international brings tournament experience and a winning mentality that could serve the team well.
With his contract now signed and his new chapter underway, Lassana Traoré begins life in European football with both promise and purpose, as he aims to establish himself in one of France’s most storied clubs.
