RENNES, France (AP) — Ivory Coast midfielder Seko Fofana ended his brief spell in Saudi Arabia to sign a long-term contract with French club Rennes on Wednesday.
The 29-year-old Fofana helped Lens to a second-place finish in Ligue 1 in 2022-23, and Rennes hopes he can provide a similar boost for the Brittany club.
Rennes said Fofana signed a four-and-a-half year deal. Financial terms were not disclosed. The team is in 12th place.
“There are some talented players at Rennes and I don't think the club is where it should be,” Fofana said in the team's announcement. “We're going to get the chance to play a series of games and show that the start of the season was below the club's potential. I hope we can turn things around very quick.”
Fofana scored 21 goals and provided 12 assists over 112 appearances for Lens.
In July 2023, he joined Al Nassr — where Cristiano Ronaldo plays — in the Saudi Pro League and then was loaned to Al-Ettifaq six months later.
Fofana previously played four seasons for Udinese in Serie A.
He has made 25 appearances for Ivory Coast and helped the team win the Africa Cup of Nations in February.
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FILE - Ivory Coast's Seko Fofana runs with the ball during their training in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Feb. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)
CENTURION, South Afica (AP) — Pakistan all-format opening batter Saim Ayub has been ruled out of cricket for at least six weeks because of fractured ankle and has put his participation in serious doubt for next month's Champions Trophy.
Ayub twisted his right ankle while fielding on the opening day of the second and final test against South Africa and was taken off the field by stretcher on Friday.
“An MRI conducted Friday afternoon confirmed the fracture,” the Pakistan Cricket Board said in a statement on Saturday.
The PCB said Ayub will remain with the team and travel back to Pakistan next week.
Ayub’s injury is a big blow to Pakistan. The left-handed opener had been in prolific form, especially in white-ball cricket, scoring two centuries as Pakistan swept South Africa 3-0 in the ODI series last month.
The ankle injury also put Ayub’s participation in doubt for next month’s Champions Trophy which begins Feb. 19 at Karachi when Pakistan takes on New Zealand in the opening match.
Pakistan all-rounder Salman Ali Agha termed Ayub’s injury a big setback for Pakistan’s bid to level the two-test series in South Africa. South Africa won the first test to qualify for the World Test Championship at Lord's in June.
“It’s a big blow, the kind of form he’s in,” Salman had said on Friday after South Africa scored a formidable 316-4 on Day 1 of the second test. “He would have been a great asset on this wicket. I wish him well and hopefully he’ll be better soon.”
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Pakistan's Saim Ayub is helped from the field after injuring his ankle while fielding the ball during the second test match between South Africa and Pakistan in Cape Town, South Africa, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Halden Krog)
Pakistan's Saim Ayub, left, injures his ankle as Babar Azam and Aamir Jamal show concern during the second test match between South Africa and Pakistan in Cape Town, South Africa, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Halden Krog)
Pakistan's Saim Ayub, left, sits injured on the ground during the second test match between South Africa and Pakistan in Cape Town, South Africa, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Halden Krog)
Pakistan's Saim Ayub, left, injures his ankle during the second test match between South Africa and Pakistan in Cape Town, South Africa, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Halden Krog)
Pakistan's Saim Ayub is helped from the field after injuring his ankle while fielding the ball during the second test match between South Africa and Pakistan in Cape Town, South Africa, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Halden Krog)
