Evann Senaya: French-Togolese defender joins Rapperswil-Jona from Basel on loan

French-Togolese right-back Evann Senaya has joined Swiss Challenge League side Rapperswil-Jona from Basel on loan until 30 June 2027.

The 20-year-old defender switches clubs after moving into Basel’s senior squad at the start of July. He will spend the 2026-27 season with Rapperswil-Jona, who play in Switzerland’s second tier, before returning to Basel when the loan ends.

Senaya is a right-footed full-back who stands 1.83m tall. He has yet to make an appearance for either Basel or Rapperswil-Jona in the current campaign, with the move taking place on 18 August.

The defender has spent his career in Basel’s academy system. He joined the club’s youth set-up in 2021 and progressed through the under-16, under-17, under-19 and under-21 teams before being promoted to the first-team squad this summer.

Senaya won the Swiss Under-19 Championship twice with Basel’s under-19 side, in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons. Those titles represent his recorded honours before his temporary move to Rapperswil-Jona.

His transfer gives him the opportunity to continue his development in the Challenge League while remaining under contract with Basel. The arrangement is scheduled to last for the full season, with the player’s return to Basel recorded for 30 June 2027.

Rapperswil-Jona have secured Senaya’s services as they compete in both the Challenge League and the Swiss Cup. The defender is registered with the club for the 2026-27 season, although he had not featured in either competition before the transfer was completed.

Senaya’s move follows a steady progression through Basel’s youth ranks, having first joined the club’s academy in the 2021-22 season. He subsequently moved up one age group at a time before making the step from Basel’s under-21 team to the senior squad.

The loan transfer was completed on 18 August 2026, with Rapperswil-Jona becoming Senaya’s latest club for the remainder of the campaign. He will return to Basel at the end of the loan on 30 June 2027.