Senegal’s Issa Soumaré joins Rennes on long-term deal until 2030

Senegalese forward Issa Soumaré has completed a move to Stade Rennais, signing a contract that will keep him at the Ligue 1 club until 2030 following an impressive campaign with Le Havre.

The transfer marks a significant step in the career of the 25-year-old attacker, who earned widespread recognition through his consistent performances in France’s top division last season.

Soumaré arrives in Rennes after establishing himself as one of Le Havre’s most influential attacking players.

His contributions in front of goal and ability to create opportunities for teammates played a major role in attracting interest from the Breton club, which has strengthened its squad with a player entering an important stage of his career.

Rennes have been seeking additional quality in attack and believe the Senegalese forward can add both creativity and depth to their offensive options in the coming seasons.

The former Génération Foot academy product enjoyed a productive season in Ligue 1, where he was directly involved in 13 goals. Across 34 league appearances, he scored eight times and provided five assists while featuring in every league match for Le Havre.

His importance to the Normandy side extended beyond statistics. Soumaré became a key figure within the squad, starting 33 of the club’s 34 league matches and wearing the captain’s armband on five occasions.

Those performances helped confirm his status as one of Le Havre’s most reliable attacking players and ultimately persuaded Rennes to make their move.

For Soumaré, the transfer represents an opportunity to continue his development at a club regularly competing near the top end of French football and challenging for places in European competitions.

After officially completing the move, the Senegalese attacker explained the reasons behind his decision.

“What attracted me most to Stade Rennais was the project. The one that will allow me to continue my development and play at the highest level. It was an easy choice. I’ve played in lower divisions, which also helped me grow, but in a different way.”

His comments reflect a player determined to continue progressing after working his way through different levels of the French football pyramid.

Having demonstrated his qualities with Le Havre, Soumaré now faces a new challenge at Rennes, where expectations will naturally be higher.

The club will hope his pace, attacking intelligence and proven Ligue 1 experience can help strengthen their ambitions over the coming years as they look to compete at the highest level domestically and in Europe.