Ehsan Kari: Madagascar-born defender joins RE Virton on free transfer

Madagascar-born French defender Ehsan Kari has joined Belgian side RE Virton on a free transfer from Frejus Saint-Raphael. The 24-year-old centre-back has signed a contract with the Challenger Pro League club running until 30 June 2027.

Kari, who plays primarily at centre-back and is right-footed, moves to Belgium after a spell in the French lower leagues, where he most recently featured for Frejus Saint-Raphael. He had joined them in 2025 from RC Grasse, also on a free transfer.

Born in Aix-en-Provence and standing at 1.87m, Kari came through the youth ranks at CS Sedan and FC Metz, progressing from Metz’s under-17s to their under-19s and then the B team. He later switched to Nimes B before moving on to Pays de Grasse and then Frejus Saint-Raphael.

Kari has built up senior experience in France’s National 1, making regular appearances across different groups of the division, as well as featuring in the Coupe de France and youth competitions earlier in his career. His record at under-19 level included four goals in 13 league matches and a further goal in the Coupe Gambardella.

Eligible for both Madagascar and France, Kari now steps into Belgian football for the first time as he links up with Virton ahead of the 2026-27 campaign. The move marks his first club outside France and commits him to the Challenger Pro League side for the next year.