Boulaye Dia makes Ligue 1 return with Stade Rennais loan move

Senegalese-French forward Boulaye Dia has joined Stade Rennais from Lazio on loan, with the move running until 30 June 2027 and the French club paying a €2m loan fee.

The 29-year-old centre-forward returns to France after beginning the 2026-27 season with Lazio in Serie A. Dia started both of the club’s league matches before his move and registered one assist, while also appearing in one Italy Cup game.

Dia’s contract at Stade Rennais is due to expire at the end of the loan spell. He will wear the number 22 shirt for the Ligue 1 club.

The transfer brings Dia back to the country where he spent three seasons with Stade Reims. He joined Reims from Jura Sud in July 2018 and later moved to Villarreal in July 2021 for €12m.

Dia subsequently joined Salernitana on loan during the 2022-23 season before making that switch permanent in July 2023 for €14.4m. He then spent the 2024-25 campaign on loan at Lazio, before returning to Salernitana at the end of the season.

Lazio signed Dia from Salernitana permanently on 1 July 2026 for €11.3m. His departure from the Italian club comes just two months after that transfer was made permanent.

The forward has represented Senegal internationally and was part of the team that won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2022. Born in Oyonnax, France, Dia is listed as holding Senegalese and French nationality.

A right-footed striker standing 1.80m tall, Dia joins a Stade Rennais side competing in Ligue 1 after his latest spell in Italian football. His current market value is €5m.

Dia’s move to Rennes is the latest step in a career that has included spells in France, Spain and Italy, with Villarreal and Lazio among his previous clubs.

Stade Rennais have secured Boulaye Dia from Lazio on a loan deal with a €2m fee through 30 June 2027.