Olympique de Marseille have confirmed the loan of promising left-back Alexi Koum to Valenciennes FC.
The 19-year-old will join the National side on a temporary deal running until the end of the 2025–26 season.
Koum, who arrived at Marseille in July 2024 and signed his first professional contract with the club, has been sent out to gain valuable first-team experience after a season spent largely with the reserves.
The move is seen as an opportunity for the young defender to continue his development in a more competitive environment.
In an official statement released by the Ligue 1 outfit, Marseille wished the player success during his loan spell: “Good luck, Alexi Koum.
The left-back is on loan until the end of the 2025–2026 season at Valenciennes FC.”
Koum spent the 2024–25 season primarily with Marseille’s reserve squad in National 3, where he featured in 14 matches.
Despite limited opportunities with the senior side, he did make a brief appearance in Ligue 1, coming off the bench for an 11-minute cameo during Marseille’s away victory at Saint-Étienne last December.
Valenciennes FC, who finished ninth in France’s third division last season, are keen to bolster their defensive options and believe Koum’s arrival will bring added depth and energy to the squad. In their own statement, the northern club expressed their enthusiasm: “Having come to the North to gain experience and get playing time, Alexi Koum has come to strengthen the Valenciennes defense. Welcome to VA, Alexi!”
The young defender himself appears eager to embrace this new chapter. In remarks shared by Valenciennes, Koum spoke positively about the club’s vision and the leadership of newly appointed coach Stéphane Moulin.
“I joined VAFC because the project presented by the club and the arrival of coach Stéphane Moulin convinced me,” Koum explained. “I expect a lot of adversity in the National, which is a tough championship. Power and desire are part of my qualities. I want to get some playing time and show things to VAFC.”
For Koum, the move represents a critical step in his progression. With competition for places fierce at Marseille and limited opportunities for young players in the senior squad, the loan to Valenciennes provides a realistic pathway for regular football in a challenging and physically demanding league.
Valenciennes, meanwhile, are undergoing a rebuilding phase under Stéphane Moulin and see the addition of young talents like Koum as essential to their ambitions.
With the club aiming to climb higher in the National standings, Koum’s versatility and work ethic are expected to be assets in the coming campaign.
The loan also serves Marseille’s broader objective of nurturing young talent through competitive exposure before potentially reintegrating them into the first-team setup.
Should Koum make the most of his time in Valenciennes, he could return to the Stade Vélodrome in a stronger position to compete for a regular place in the squad.
As the 2025–26 season approaches, all eyes will be on Koum’s performances in the red and white of Valenciennes—a club offering him the platform to prove his potential and take the next step in his career.
