The 2025/26 season finds Le Havre AC in a state of determined consolidation under the guidance of Luka Elsner, the Slovenian manager who took the helm in 2024 following the club’s promotion back to Ligue 1. Les Ciel et Marine (The Sky and Navy), playing at the historic Stade Océane, have established themselves as one of French football’s most resilient clubs, bouncing back from relegation with immediate promotion. The club’s famous academy, which produced talents like Paul Pogba, Riyad Mahrez, and Steve Mandanda, continues to supply homegrown players to the first team. This season’s squad reflects Elsner’s tactical vision: organised defenders, hard-working midfielders, and a collective work rate designed to compete against more illustrious opponents. The summer transfer window saw strategic reinforcements, with Le Havre relying on experienced veterans, promising loanees, and homegrown products. Below lies an exhaustive examination of Le Havre’s first-team roster for 2025/26, organised by position, with each player’s journey, financial details, and stylistic fingerprints dissected thoroughly.
Goalkeepers
Arthur Desmas
Nationality: French
Former Clubs: Clermont Foot, Le Havre
Transfer Fee: €500,000 (2023)
Arthur Desmas has become Le Havre’s undisputed number one following his arrival from Clermont Foot, the French shot-stopper providing reflexes, command, and distribution that have silenced pre-season sceptics. The 31-year-old’s shot-stopping (75% save percentage in 2024/25 Ligue 2, 73% in 2025/26 Ligue 1 to date) and command of the penalty area (86% cross-claiming success) have been instrumental in Le Havre’s survival campaign. Desmas’s distribution (87% pass completion) remains functional. Having started 30 league matches in 2025/26, keeping 10 clean sheets, he has proven remarkably durable. Desmas’s contract runs through 2028.
Mathieu Gorgelin
Nationality: French
Former Clubs: Lyon (youth), Le Havre
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2022)
Mathieu Gorgelin has accepted a rotational role behind Desmas, providing French backup depth, cup competition cover, and dressing room experience. The 35-year-old’s shot-stopping (73% save percentage in limited appearances) and distribution (86% pass completion) provide functional cover. Gorgelin started 8 matches in 2025/26 (cup competitions and Desmas’s rest), keeping 3 clean sheets. Gorgelin’s contract expires in 2027.
Yann Kitala
Nationality: French (born in Paris), represents DR Congo internationally
Former Clubs: Paris FC (youth), INF Clairefontaine (youth), Olympique Lyonnais, FC Lorient (loan), FC Sochaux, Le Havre AC, Almere City FC (loan)
Transfer Fees: €300,000 from Lyon to Sochaux (July 2020), free transfer from Sochaux to Le Havre (July 2022)
A left-footed forward standing 186 cm tall, Yann Kitala was born April 9, 1998 in Paris, France and primarily plays as a centre-forward, though he can also operate as a left winger. He came through the prestigious INF Clairefontaine academy before joining Olympique Lyonnais in 2013, where he spent three seasons with Lyon’s reserve team in National 2, scoring 20 goals in 64 appearances. After a loan spell at Lorient where he made his professional debut in Ligue 2, he moved permanently to Sochaux for €300,000 in June 2020, making 28 league appearances and scoring 5 goals over two seasons. Kitala joined Le Havre on a free transfer in July 2022, playing a role in the club’s Ligue 2 title-winning campaign that secured promotion to Ligue 1. He spent the 2023-24 season on loan at Dutch Eredivisie side Almere City, scoring 2 goals in 15 appearances. Known for his physical presence and aerial strength, Kitala’s key attributes include winning aerial duels and defensive contributions for a forward, though he has struggled with consistency in front of goal, averaging a 38 percent shot accuracy rate. He has represented DR Congo at the U20 level, earning one cap in 2015. As of the 2025-26 season, he has made 32 Ligue 1 appearances for Le Havre.
Defenders
Arouna Sangante (Captain)
Nationality: Senegalese (French-born)
Former Clubs: Le Havre academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Arouna Sangante has become Le Havre’s captain and defensive leader, the Senegalese centre-back providing physicality, aerial dominance, and organisational communication following his graduation from the club’s academy. The 23-year-old’s reading of the game—intercepting passes (2.5 per 90), cutting angles, covering for advancing full-backs—provides defensive security. His aerial duel success (86%) leads Le Havre’s defence, neutralising target forwards and providing set-piece security. Sangante’s tackling (2.8 per 90) and blocks (1.3 per 90) demonstrate aggressive defending. His partnership with Gautier Lloris has conceded only 1.12 goals per 90 minutes over the 2025/26 season to date. Sangante’s contract runs through 2029.
Gautier Lloris
Nationality: French
Former Clubs: OGC Nice (youth), Le Havre
Transfer Fee: €500,000 (2023)
Gautier Lloris (younger brother of Tottenham legend Hugo) has become Sangante’s long-term partner, the French centre-back providing left-footed balance, passing range, and tactical intelligence across three seasons at the club. The 29-year-old’s left-footed passing (4.8 progressive passes per 90) initiates attacks from the left channel. Lloris’s contract runs through 2028.
Christopher Operi
Nationality: French (Ivorian descent)
Former Clubs: Le Havre academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Christopher Operi has become Le Havre’s first-choice left-back, the French-Ivorian defender providing energy, crossing, and defensive improvement following his graduation from the club’s academy. The 27-year-old’s overlapping runs (3.7 per 90) and crossing (37% accuracy) created 3 assists in 2025/26. Operi’s contract runs through 2028.
Yoann Salmier
Nationality: French (Guadeloupean descent)
Former Clubs: Troyes, Le Havre
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2023)
Yoann Salmier has provided right-back and centre-back depth following his free transfer from Troyes, the French-Guadeloupean defender offering physicality and versatility. The 32-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
Oualid El Hajjam
Nationality: Moroccan (French-born)
Former Clubs: Amiens, Le Havre
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2023)
Oualid El Hajjam has become Le Havre’s first-choice right-back, the Moroccan defender providing pace, crossing, and defensive diligence across three seasons at the club. The 33-year-old’s overlapping runs (3.6 per 90) and crossing (36% accuracy) created 2 assists in 2025/26. El Hajjam’s contract runs through 2028.
Andy Logbo
Nationality: French (Ivorian descent)
Former Clubs: Le Havre academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Andy Logbo has provided centre-back depth following his graduation from Le Havre’s academy. The 22-year-old’s contract runs through 2029.
Yoni Gomis
Nationality: French (Senegalese descent)
Former Clubs: Le Havre academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Yoni Gomis has been named among the substitutes in 2025/26, the 20-year-old defender representing the future of Le Havre’s defensive depth. Gomis’s contract runs through 2029.
Midfielders
Yassine Kechta
Nationality: Moroccan (French-born)
Former Clubs: Le Havre academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Yassine Kechta has become Le Havre’s creative heartbeat, the Moroccan midfielder providing dribbling, passing, and finishing from attacking midfield following his graduation from the club’s academy. The 23-year-old’s dribbling (3.5 successful take-ons per 90) and finishing (5 goals in 2025/26) provide consistent production. Kechta’s contract runs through 2029.
Abdoulaye Touré
Nationality: Guinean (French-born)
Former Clubs: Nantes, Genoa, Le Havre
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2024)
Abdoulaye Touré has become Le Havre’s midfield anchor, the Guinean international providing tackling, interceptions, and physicality following his free transfer from Genoa. The 31-year-old’s tackling (3.2 per 90) and interceptions (2.5 per 90) lead Le Havre’s midfield. His work rate (11.6 kilometres per match) and pressing intensity (11.3 pressures per 90) set Elsner’s standards. Touré’s contract runs through 2028.
Rassoul Ndiaye
Nationality: French (Senegalese descent)
Former Clubs: Sochaux, Le Havre
Transfer Fee: €1 million (2024)
Rassoul Ndiaye has provided midfield depth following his arrival from Sochaux, the French-Senegalese midfielder offering energy, tackling, and ball-carrying. The 23-year-old’s contract runs through 2029.
Oussama Targhalline
Nationality: Moroccan (French-born)
Former Clubs: Marseille (youth), Le Havre
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2024)
Oussama Targhalline has provided midfield depth following his free transfer from Marseille, the Moroccan youth international offering passing and energy. The 23-year-old’s contract runs through 2029.
Samuel Grandsir
Nationality: French
Former Clubs: Troyes, Monaco, Le Havre
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2024)
Samuel Grandsir has provided wide and attacking midfield depth following his free transfer from Monaco, the French winger offering pace, dribbling, and creativity. The 29-year-old’s finishing (4 goals in 2025/26) and dribbling (3.3 successful take-ons per 90) provide functional depth. Grandsir’s contract runs through 2028.
Daler Kuzyaev
Nationality: Russian
Former Clubs: Zenit Saint Petersburg, Le Havre
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2024)
Daler Kuzyaev has provided midfield depth following his free transfer from Zenit Saint Petersburg, the Russian international offering energy and passing. The 33-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
Alois Confais
Nationality: French
Former Clubs: Le Havre academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Alois Confais has provided emergency midfield depth following his graduation from Le Havre’s academy. The 26-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
Forwards
Nabil Alioui
Nationality: Moroccan (French-born)
Former Clubs: Le Havre academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Nabil Alioui has become Le Havre’s primary attacking weapon, the Moroccan forward providing finishing, pace, and movement following his graduation from the club’s academy. The 26-year-old’s finishing (12 goals in 2025/26) and conversion rate (26%) provide consistent scoring threat. Alioui’s movement off the shoulder (3.2 shots per 90, 0.55 xG per shot) terrorises defences. His work rate pressing centre-backs (10.6 pressures per 90) sets Le Havre’s defensive tone from the front. Alioui’s contract runs through 2029.
Antoine Joujou
Nationality: French
Former Clubs: Le Havre academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Antoine Joujou has emerged as a promising wide option following his graduation from Le Havre’s academy, the 21-year-old forward providing pace, dribbling, and finishing. Joujou’s finishing (5 goals in 2025/26) and dribbling (3.4 successful take-ons per 90) suggest potential. Joujou’s contract runs through 2029.
Josué Casimir
Nationality: French (Guadeloupean descent)
Former Clubs: Le Havre academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Josué Casimir has provided wide depth following his graduation from Le Havre’s academy, the 23-year-old forward offering pace and creativity. Casimir’s finishing (3 goals in 2025/26) provides functional depth. Casimir’s contract runs through 2029.
Issa Soumaré
Nationality: French (Senegalese descent)
Former Clubs: Le Havre academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Issa Soumaré has provided striker depth following his graduation from Le Havre’s academy, the 24-year-old forward offering physicality and finishing. Soumaré’s finishing (4 goals in 2025/26 in limited minutes) provides functional depth. Soumaré’s contract runs through 2029.
Steve Ambri
Nationality: Bissau-Guinean (born in France)
Former Clubs: SC Frileuse (youth), Le Havre AC (youth), ESM Gonfreville (youth), Valenciennes FC, FC Sochaux, Sheriff Tiraspol, Nîmes Olympique, Jamshedpur FC, Khon Kaen United
Transfer Fees: Free transfer from Valenciennes to Sochaux (July 2020)
A left-footed right winger standing approximately 183 cm tall, Steve Ambri was born August 12, 1997 in Mont-Saint-Aignan, France and also operates as a left winger or centre-forward. He spent part of his youth career at Le Havre AC from 2010 to 2012 before going on to develop at SC Frileuse and ESM Gonfreville. Ambri made his professional debut for Valenciennes FC on December 16, 2016 in a Ligue 2 match against Auxerre, going on to make 60 league appearances for the club over four seasons. In July 2020, he transferred to FC Sochaux on a free transfer, where he made 56 league appearances and scored 5 goals. His career then took an international turn, signing with Moldovan side Sheriff Tiraspol in July 2022 where he scored 4 goals in 8 appearances, before returning to France for a brief stint at Nîmes Olympique in January 2023. He has since played in India for Jamshedpur FC and in Thailand for Khon Kaen United. Ambri has represented Guinea-Bissau at senior level with 5 caps, and also earned 4 caps for France U20, scoring 2 goals. He has been without a club since February 2024.
Omaré Gassama
Nationality: Mauritanian (born in France)
Former Clubs: Thouars, Le Mans, Victor San Marino, Francavilla, Meyrin, Tours, Poissy, CS Sedan, LB Châteauroux
Transfer Fees: Free transfers throughout his career (Tours to Poissy 2021, Poissy to Sedan 2022, Sedan to Châteauroux 2023)
A right-footed defensive midfielder standing 180 cm tall, Omare Gassama was born September 1, 1995 in Tarbes, France. He began his senior career at Thouars in the Championnat National 3 before moving to Le Mans, then embarked on an international journey playing in Italy’s Serie D for Victor San Marino and Francavilla, followed by a spell in Switzerland with Meyrin. After returning to France, he played for his childhood club Tours and later Poissy before joining CS Sedan in 2022 and LB Châteauroux in 2023. Gassama is a defensively-minded midfielder whose strengths include tackling, work rate, and defensive positioning, allowing him to operate effectively as a holding midfielder or centre-back. Born in France to Mauritanian descent, he made his senior international debut for Mauritania in a 3-0 win over Sudan on June 20, 2023, and has earned 8 caps for the national team. As of the 2025-26 season, he continues to play in the lower tiers of French football.
Conclusion
Le Havre’s 2025/26 squad represents the most resilient and homegrown group assembled since the club’s previous Ligue 1 stint, a testament to Luka Elsner’s pragmatic coaching, the recruitment team’s intelligence (Touré, Desmas, Ndiaye), and the academy’s continued production (Sangante, Kechta, Alioui, Joujou). The defence, anchored by Arouna Sangante’s Senegalese physicality and Gautier Lloris’s French composure, provides platform for Le Havre’s organised, defensively sound survival system. The midfield, dominated by Abdoulaye Touré’s Guinean tackling and Yassine Kechta’s Moroccan creativity, controls matches through pressing, disruption, and set-piece quality. The attack, headlined by Nabil Alioui’s Moroccan finishing, carries sufficient goal threat to secure survival. Crucially, Le Havre has balanced immediate competitiveness with long-term planning; Sangante, Kechta, Alioui, and Joujou represent significant resale value while contributing immediately – all are academy graduates who could be sold for substantial profit. The looming challenge involves maintaining Ligue 1 status without the financial resources of France’s traditional powers – and continuing to develop homegrown talents for profitable sales while remaining competitive. Yet the Stade Océane’s modern, passionate atmosphere provides emotional fuel. Le Havre, the oldest football club in France (founded 1872), no longer hopes merely to survive; they expect to establish themselves as a stable Ligue 1 fixture.
