The 2025/26 season finds Stade Brestois 29 in a state of determined consolidation under the guidance of Eric Roy, the French manager who masterminded the club’s miraculous Champions League qualification in 2023/24. Les Pirates, playing at the intimate Stade Francis-Le Blé in Brittany, have established themselves as one of Ligue 1’s most endearing overachievers, consistently punching above their weight through tactical intelligence and collective spirit. The club’s remarkable third-place finish in 2023/24 remains a cherished memory, and while Champions League football is no longer on the immediate horizon, Brest have maintained their reputation as a difficult opponent for any side. This season’s squad reflects Roy’s pragmatic identity: organised defenders, hard-working midfielders, and a collective work rate that exceeds the sum of individual parts. The summer transfer window saw the departure of several key figures like Lilian Brassier and Jérémy Le Douaron, but the club’s recruitment model continues to unearth undervalued gems. Below lies an exhaustive examination of Brest’s first-team roster for 2025/26, organised by position, with each player’s journey, financial details, and stylistic fingerprints dissected thoroughly.
Goalkeepers
Marco Bizot
Nationality: Dutch
Former Clubs: Groningen, Genk, AZ Alkmaar
Transfer Fee: €3 million (2021)
Marco Bizot has become Brest’s undisputed number one and one of Ligue 1’s most reliable goalkeepers, the Dutch shot-stopper providing reflexes, command, and distribution that have silenced pre-season sceptics. The 34-year-old’s shot-stopping (76% save percentage in 2024/25, 75% in 2025/26 to date) and command of the penalty area (87% cross-claiming success) have been instrumental in Brest’s European qualification campaigns. Bizot’s distribution (88% pass completion), particularly his quick throws to initiate counters, suits Roy’s transitional system. Having started 30 league matches in 2025/26, keeping 11 clean sheets, he has proven remarkably durable. Bizot’s contract runs through 2028.
Grégoire Coudert
Nationality: French
Former Clubs: Brest academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Grégoire Coudert has accepted a rotational role behind Bizot, providing French backup depth, cup competition cover, and homegrown continuity. The 26-year-old’s shot-stopping (73% save percentage in limited appearances) and distribution (86% pass completion) provide functional cover. Coudert started 8 matches in 2025/26 (cup competitions and Bizot’s rest), keeping 3 clean sheets. Coudert’s contract runs through 2028.
Noah Jauny
Nationality: Irish
Former Clubs: Stade Brestois II, Stade Brestois
Transfer Fees: Promoted from Brest academy to first team – no transfer fee
A right-footed goalkeeper standing 194 cm tall, Noah Jauny was born August 26, 2004 in Dublin, Ireland and also holds French nationality. He came through the youth ranks at Stade Brestois, progressing from the reserve team in National 3 to the senior squad where he currently wears the number 50 shirt under contract through June 2027. Jauny has established himself as the third-choice goalkeeper for Brest’s first team, regularly featuring on the bench for Ligue 1 matches but has yet to make his professional debut for the club, with his senior minutes coming exclusively at the international level for Ireland U21. Since 2025, he has been a regular starter for the Irish U21 national team, earning caps in European U21 Championship qualifiers against opponents including Andorra, England, Slovakia, Kazakhstan, and Moldova, playing full matches in each of those fixtures. His market value is estimated at approximately €30,000, and his playing style as a goalkeeper is still developing, with his height and reach being notable physical assets.
Defenders
Brendan Chardonnet (Captain)
Nationality: French
Former Clubs: Brest academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Brendan Chardonnet has become Brest’s captain and longest-serving current player, the French centre-back providing leadership, aerial dominance, and organisational communication across a decade at the club. The 30-year-old’s reading of the game—intercepting passes (2.5 per 90), cutting angles, covering for advancing wing-backs—provides defensive security. His aerial duel success (86%) leads Brest’s defence, neutralising target forwards and providing set-piece security. Chardonnet’s tackling (2.8 per 90) and blocks (1.3 per 90) demonstrate old-school defending. His partnership with Soumaïla Coulibaly has conceded only 1.08 goals per 90 minutes over the 2025/26 season to date. Chardonnet’s contract runs through 2029.
Soumaïla Coulibaly
Nationality: French (Malien descent)
Former Clubs: Borussia Dortmund, Brest
Transfer Fee: €2 million (2024)
Soumaïla Coulibaly has become Chardonnet’s long-term partner, the French-Malien centre-back providing physicality, recovery pace, and tactical discipline following his arrival from Borussia Dortmund. The 22-year-old’s aerial duel success (85%) and tackling (2.7 per 90) provide defensive security.
Bradley Locko
Nationality: French (Congolese descent)
Former Clubs: Lorient, Brest
Transfer Fee: €3 million (2023)
Bradley Locko has become Brest’s first-choice left-back, the French-Congolese defender providing pace, crossing, and defensive improvement across three seasons at the club. The 23-year-old’s overlapping runs (3.8 per 90) and crossing (38% accuracy) created 4 assists in 2025/26. Locko’s contract runs through 2029.
Kenny Lala
Nationality: French (Guadeloupean descent)
Former Clubs: Lens, Strasbourg, Olympiacos, Brest
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2023)
Kenny Lala has become Brest’s first-choice right-back, the French defender providing experience, crossing, and defensive diligence across three seasons at the club. The 33-year-old’s overlapping runs (3.6 per 90) and crossing (37% accuracy) created 3 assists in 2025/26. Lala’s contract runs through 2028.
Julien Le Cardinal
Nationality: French
Former Clubs: Paris FC, Brest
Transfer Fee: €1 million (2023)
Julien Le Cardinal has provided centre-back and right-back depth following his arrival from Paris FC, the French defender offering physicality and versatility. The 28-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
Luck Zogbé
Nationality: Ivorian
Former Clubs: Without Club (joined Stade Brestois on October 26, 2023)
Transfer Fees: Signed on a free transfer from without club status on October 26, 2023
A right-footed right-back standing 178 cm tall, Luck Zogbé was born March 24, 2005 in Vieil Ousrou, Ivory Coast. He joined Stade Brestois on a free transfer in October 2023, signing a contract that runs through June 2027, and currently wears the number 12 shirt for the club. He made his professional debut during the 2024-25 Ligue 1 season, appearing in 14 matches with 7 starts, recording 22 clearances and 15 interceptions while helping his team keep 2 clean sheets. Known for his defensive awareness and standing tackle ability, Zogbé is a promising young full-back who has also represented Ivory Coast at the U23 level, earning 3 caps. He is versatile enough to operate as a left-back or right midfielder in addition to his primary position, and his market value has been estimated between €1.5 million and €6.2 million, with a peak of €6.2 million in April 2025. As of the 2025-26 season, he has continued to develop at Brest, with his contract extended through June 2029.
Achille M’Bemba
Nationality: Congolese
Former Clubs: AS Saint-Étienne (youth), Le Puy Foot 43 Auvergne (youth), Stade Brestois 29 (youth)
Transfer Fees: Youth academy product – no transfer fee
A right-footed central midfielder standing approximately 173 cm tall, Achille M’bemba was born in France and came through the youth systems of AS Saint-Étienne and Le Puy Foot before joining Stade Brestois. He is a product of Brest’s academy and has progressed through the reserve ranks at the club, where he has been developing his game as a versatile midfielder capable of operating in central midfield, on the right flank, or as an attacking right midfielder. M’bemba is a right-footed player who has yet to make his senior debut for Brest’s first team, with his career to date primarily consisting of appearances for the club’s reserve side in the lower divisions of French football. He is considered a promising young talent within the Brest organization.
Midfielders
Pierre Lees-Melou
Nationality: French
Former Clubs: US Lège-Cap-Ferret, Dijon FCO, OGC Nice, Norwich City, Stade Brestois 29, Paris FC
Transfer Fees: Free transfer to Dijon (July 2015), €4.0 million to Nice (July 2017), €3.9 million to Norwich (July 2021), €2.3 million to Brest (July 2022), €5.8 million to Paris FC (August 2025)
A right-footed central midfielder standing 185 cm tall, Pierre Lees-Melou was born May 25, 1993 in Langon, France. His path to professional football was unconventional—after being released from the Bordeaux academy at age 16 due to his small stature, he played amateur football for several years while working in a primary school before signing his first professional contract with Dijon at age 22. He helped Dijon earn promotion to Ligue 1 during the 2015-16 season and established himself as a reliable top-flight midfielder. After four seasons at Nice where he made over 140 appearances, he moved to Norwich City in the Premier League for a brief spell before returning to France with Brest. At Brest, he became a key figure in the club’s historic 2023-24 campaign, helping them finish third in Ligue 1 and qualify for the Champions League for the first time in club history. Known for his exceptional work rate, technical ability, and vision, Lees-Melou’s strengths include through balls, tackling, and long passing, while his discipline has occasionally been a weakness with multiple red cards in his Ligue 1 career. He has made over 250 Ligue 1 appearances with 35 goals, and has also featured in European competitions including the Europa League and Champions League qualifiers. He currently plays for Paris FC after transferring from Brest in August 2025.
Hugo Magnetti
Nationality: French
Former Clubs: Brest academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Hugo Magnetti has become Brest’s midfield anchor following Lees-Melou’s departure, the French midfielder providing energy, tackling, and tactical intelligence across seven seasons at the club. The 27-year-old’s tackling (3.2 per 90) and interceptions (2.5 per 90) lead Brest’s midfield. His work rate (11.7 kilometres per match) and pressing intensity (11.4 pressures per 90) set Roy’s standards. Magnetti’s contract runs through 2029.
Mahdi Camara
Nationality: French (Comorian descent)
Former Clubs: Saint-Étienne, Brest
Transfer Fee: €2 million (2023)
Mahdi Camara has become Brest’s midfield engine, the French-Comorian midfielder providing ball-carrying, energy, and tactical discipline across three seasons at the club. The 27-year-old’s ball-carrying (3.9 progressive carries per 90) and work rate provide midfield security. Camara’s contract runs through 2028.
Hianga’a M’Bock
Nationality: French (Congolese descent)
Former Clubs: Paris FC, Brest
Transfer Fee: €1 million (2023)
Hianga’a M’Bock has provided defensive midfield depth following his arrival from Paris FC, the French-Congolese midfielder offering tackling and physicality. The 26-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
Jonas Martin
Nationality: French
Former Clubs: Montpellier, Strasbourg, Lille, Brest
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2024)
Jonas Martin, now 35, has provided midfield depth and experience following his free transfer from Lille, the French veteran offering passing quality and leadership. Martin’s contract runs through 2027.
Edimilson Fernandes
Nationality: Swiss
Former Clubs: FC Sion, West Ham United, Fiorentina (loan), 1. FSV Mainz 05, Arminia Bielefeld (loan), BSC Young Boys (loan), Stade Brestois 29 (loan)
Transfer Fees: €7.50 million from West Ham to Mainz 05 (July 2019), loan to Brest (August 2024)
A right-footed midfielder standing between 186 cm and 190 cm tall, Edimilson Fernandes was born April 15, 1996 in Sion, Switzerland and is the cousin of former Swiss international Gelson Fernandes. He began his professional career at FC Sion, winning the Swiss Cup in 2015, before moving to West Ham United in 2016 where he made 42 Premier League appearances over three seasons. After a loan spell at Fiorentina, he joined Mainz 05 permanently for €7.50 million in 2019 and spent five seasons in the Bundesliga, including loan stints at Arminia Bielefeld and Young Boys. Known as a true “Swiss army knife” for his remarkable versatility, Fernandes has been deployed as a defensive midfielder, central midfielder, right-back, centre-back, and even winger throughout his career. He joined Stade Brestois on loan in August 2024 and helped the club make history by qualifying for the Champions League. His strengths include aerial duels, interception ability, and tackling, while his weaknesses have been identified as holding onto the ball and passing consistency under pressure. He has earned over 30 caps for the Swiss national team and was part of their squad at Euro 2020.
Forwards
Romain Del Castillo
Nationality: French
Former Clubs: Rennes, Brest
Transfer Fee: €2 million (2021)
Romain Del Castillo has become Brest’s primary attacking weapon, the French winger providing finishing, creativity, and set-piece delivery across five seasons at the club. The 29-year-old’s finishing (12 goals in 2025/26) and creativity (8 assists) provide elite production from the right flank. Del Castillo’s dribbling (3.6 successful take-ons per 90) and set-piece delivery (3 direct free kick goals, 6 corner assists) add significant value.
Ludovic Ajorque
Nationality: French (Martiniquais descent)
Former Clubs: Clermont Foot, Strasbourg, Mainz 05, Brest
Transfer Fee: €3 million (2024)
Ludovic Ajorque has provided striker depth following his arrival from Mainz 05, the French forward offering physicality, finishing, and hold-up play. The 31-year-old’s finishing (9 goals in 2025/26) and aerial duel success (83%) provide consistent scoring threat. Ajorque’s contract runs through 2028.
Jérémy Le Douaron
Nationality: French
Former Clubs: EA Guingamp (youth), Stade Briochin, Stade Brestois 29, Palermo
Transfer Fees: Free transfer from Stade Briochin to Brest (July 2020), €4.00 million from Brest to Palermo (August 2024)
A left-footed forward standing 189 cm tall, Jérémy Le Douaron was born April 21, 1998 in Ploufragan, France and primarily operates as a left winger, though he is also capable of playing as a striker, attacking midfielder, or right winger. His rise to professional football is an inspiring story—he was playing in the fourth tier with local Breton club Stade Briochin at age 22 before Brest signed him on a free transfer in 2020, and he quickly adapted to Ligue 1 with his intensity and direct style of play. Le Douaron became a key figure for Brest during their historic 2023-24 campaign, helping the club finish third in Ligue 1 and qualify for the Champions League for the first time in their history. In August 2024, he departed Brest for Italian Serie B side Palermo in a €4 million transfer, missing out on Brest’s Champions League adventure. Known as an exceptional finisher and aerial threat, his strengths are rated as very strong for aerial duels and headed attempts, with strong finishing ability. However, his weaknesses include crossing, holding onto the ball, passing accuracy, and defensive contribution. He prefers to play short passes, cut inside from the left flank, and execute flick-ons, and has been described as an unspectacular but effective player who embodies his former club’s understated, energetic, and hardworking style. He has scored 1 goal in 4 Serie B appearances for Palermo during the 2025-26 season.
Axel Camblan
Nationality: French
Former Clubs: Brest academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Axel Camblan has emerged as a promising wide option following his graduation from Brest’s academy, the 22-year-old forward providing pace, dribbling, and finishing. Camblan’s finishing (5 goals in 2025/26) and dribbling (3.3 successful take-ons per 90) provide functional depth.
Karim Cissé
Nationality: French (Ivorian descent)
Former Clubs: Brest academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Karim Cissé has provided forward depth following his graduation from Brest’s academy, the 20-year-old forward offering pace and finishing. Cissé’s finishing (3 goals in 2025/26 in limited minutes) suggests potential. Cissé’s contract runs through 2029.
Ibrahim Salah
Nationality: Moroccan (also holds Belgian nationality)
Former Clubs: KAA Gent, Stade Rennais, Stade Brestois (loan), FC Basel
Transfer Fees: €6.5 million from Gent to Rennes (January 2023), €2.0 million from Rennes to Basel (September 2025)
A right-footed left winger standing between 185 cm and 186 cm tall, Ibrahim Salah was born August 30, 2001 in Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, Belgium and began his professional career at KAA Gent, where he made his breakthrough after initially joining on trial at age 19. In January 2023, he transferred to Stade Rennais for €6.5 million, making 38 league appearances for the club and scoring four goals before joining Stade Brestois on loan in August 2024 for the Champions League campaign. During his loan spell at Brest, he made 12 Ligue 1 appearances, scoring one goal and providing one assist. In September 2025, he was sold to Swiss club FC Basel for €2.0 million. Salah wears the number 34 shirt as a tribute to Abdelhak Nouri, the former Ajax player who suffered a career-ending cardiac arrest in 2017, and he has cited Riyad Mahrez as his footballing inspiration. He is known for his dribbling ability, crossing, and creativity from the left wing, with strong defensive contribution noted as a relative strength, though his finishing and aerial duels have been identified as weaknesses. He has represented Morocco at multiple levels, including 10 caps for the U23 national team. As of the 2025-26 season, he has made 27 Super League appearances for Basel, scoring three goals.
Rafiki Saïd
Nationality: Comorian
Former Clubs: Brest II, Stade Briochin (loan), Brest, Nîmes, Troyes, Standard Liège
Transfer Fees: €800,000 from Nîmes to Troyes (July 2023), €2.5 million from Troyes to Standard Liège (July 2025)
A left-footed winger standing 178 cm tall, Rafiki Saïd was born March 15, 2000 in Samba M’Bodoni, Comoros and joined the Brest academy at age 11. He signed his first professional contract with Brest in May 2020 and made his Ligue 1 debut for the club on September 12, 2021 against Angers. After a loan spell at Stade Briochin in the Championnat National, he moved to Nîmes in August 2022 where he scored 9 goals in 30 appearances, before transferring to Troyes for €800,000 in July 2023. At Troyes, he became a key attacking player with 17 goals in 68 matches over two seasons. In July 2025, he joined Belgian Pro League side Standard Liège for €2.5 million, where he currently wears the number 17 shirt. Known as a classic winger who prefers to play on the left flank and cut inside onto his stronger left foot, Saïd’s strengths include dribbling and finishing, while his weaknesses have been identified as holding onto the ball and passing. He made his senior international debut for the Comoros national team on November 17, 2023, scoring in a 4-2 World Cup qualification win over the Central African Republic. He has since earned over 16 caps and scored 8 goals for his country, and was called up to the Comoros squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Adrien Lebeau
Nationality: French
Former Clubs: Racing Strasbourg (youth and senior), SV Waldhof Mannheim, Stade Brestois, FC Hansa Rostock
Transfer Fees: Free transfer from Strasbourg to Mannheim (August 2021), free transfer from Mannheim to Brest (August 2023), free transfer from Brest to Hansa Rostock (July 2024)
A right-footed attacking midfielder and left winger standing 175 cm tall, Adrien Lebeau was born July 8, 1999 in Metz, France and came through the youth ranks of Racing Strasbourg, where he made his Ligue 1 debut on August 25, 2019 as a substitute against Rennes. After limited opportunities at Strasbourg, he moved to German 3. Liga club SV Waldhof Mannheim in August 2021, where he became a key attacking contributor with 39 league appearances, scoring five goals and providing five assists over two seasons. His performances earned him a return to Ligue 1 with Stade Brestois in August 2023 on a free transfer, but playing time was scarce—he made just nine Ligue 1 appearances for Brest, all as a substitute, totaling only 47 minutes of action and registering one assist. In July 2024, he joined FC Hansa Rostock, also in the German 3. Liga, on a free transfer. Lebeau is known for his creativity, dribbling ability, and capacity to play as a second striker or on the left wing, though his lack of consistent playing time at higher levels has limited his development. He has won regional cup titles with Waldhof Mannheim (Baden Cup in 2022) and Hansa Rostock (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Cup in 2025). As of the 2025-26 season, he has made over 20 appearances for Rostock across all competitions.
Conclusion
Brest’s 2025/26 squad represents the most resilient and hard-working group assembled since the club’s miraculous Champions League campaign of 2023/24, a testament to Eric Roy’s pragmatic coaching, the recruitment team’s intelligence (Coulibaly, Ajorque, Fernandes), and the academy’s continued production (Chardonnet, Magnetti, Camblan). The defence, anchored by Brendan Chardonnet’s French leadership and Soumaïla Coulibaly’s physicality, provides platform for Brest’s organised, defensively sound system. The midfield, dominated by Hugo Magnetti’s energy and Mahdi Camara’s ball-carrying, controls matches through pressing and disruption. The attack, headlined by Romain Del Castillo’s French creativity and Ludovic Ajorque’s physical presence, carries sufficient goal threat to secure mid-table security. Crucially, Brest has balanced immediate competitiveness with financial sustainability; Coulibaly, Locko, Camara, and Camblan represent significant resale value while contributing immediately. The looming challenge involves maintaining Ligue 1 status without the financial resources of France’s traditional powers – and replacing the departed stars (Lees-Melou, Le Douaron, Brassier) while remaining competitive. Yet the Stade Francis-Le Blé’s passionate, intimate atmosphere provides emotional fuel. Brest no longer surprises opponents; they are respected, studied, and feared as one of Ligue 1’s most organised sides.
