Lassana Sylla: Pays du Valois sign Saint-Quentin centre-back on free transfer

France-Mali centre-back Lassana Sylla has joined Pays du Valois from Saint-Quentin on a free transfer, completing the move on 31 July 2026.

Sylla, 24, plays primarily in central defence and is right-footed. Born in Saint-Quentin, France, he stands 1.84m tall and leaves his local club after a spell that began in January 2025, when he returned to Saint-Quentin from AS Beauvais.

The defender made 23 appearances in National 1 and a further 36 in National 2 during his recorded senior career. He scored three goals in National 2 and also provided one assist in the Coupe de France.

Sylla’s first senior move away from Saint-Quentin came in July 2023, when he joined AS Beauvais on a free transfer. He returned to Saint-Quentin midway through the 2024-25 season, again without a transfer fee.

Before establishing himself in the senior game, Sylla played for Saint-Quentin B after moving from EFAFC Under-19s in July 2021. He subsequently moved into Saint-Quentin’s senior set-up in July 2022.

His recorded appearances also include 20 matches in National 1 and eight in the National Under-19 competition. He has featured in the Coupe de France, with six appearances in the competition.

Sylla now begins the next stage of his career with Pays du Valois, having switched clubs after his recent spell at Saint-Quentin. The move is his third senior transfer, following previous free moves between Saint-Quentin and AS Beauvais.

Pays du Valois have secured the services of the defender without paying a transfer fee, and Sylla’s arrival was completed on 31 July 2026.