Mikayil Faye: Senegal defender joins 1.FC Nuremberg on loan from Rennes

Senegal centre-back Mikayil Faye has joined 1.FC Nuremberg on loan from Stade Rennais, strengthening the 2. Bundesliga club’s defence for the 2026-27 season. The 22-year-old left-footer arrives on a temporary deal, with his contract at the German side running until 30 June 2027 before he is due to return to the Ligue 1 outfit.

Faye moves to Nuremberg after spending last season with Rennes, where he added French top-flight experience to a varied early career across Europe. Standing at 1.83m and operating primarily as a central defender, he offers the German club another option at the heart of their backline as they prepare for the new campaign.

The Senegalese defender joined Rennes from Barcelona in August 2024 in a transfer worth €10.3m, having previously been part of the Barca Atletic set-up after a spell in Croatia with NK Kustosija. His path to Germany follows a loan stint in Serie A with Cremonese during the 2025-26 season, where he continued his development in one of Europe’s major leagues.

Across his senior career so far, Faye has accumulated more than 60 club appearances in league and cup competitions, including games in Ligue 1, Serie A and Spain’s lower divisions. He also showed an eye for goal from the back line during his time in Spain’s third tier, scoring four times in one campaign.

Faye’s switch to 1.FC Nuremberg is officially a loan transfer from Stade Rennais, with the deal confirmed for the 2026-27 season.