The 2025/26 season finds AJ Auxerre back in Ligue 1 following their promotion from Ligue 2 as champions in 2024/25, ending a two-year exile that tested the club’s resilience. Les Diplomates, playing at the historic Stade de l’Abbé-Deschamps in Burgundy, have returned to the top flight with their famed attacking identity intact. The club’s legendary academy, which produced talents like Eric Cantona, Djibril Cissé, and Philippe Mexès, continues to supply homegrown players to the first team under the guidance of Christophe Pélissier, the experienced French manager who took the helm in 2024. Auxerre’s remarkable history – including four Ligue 1 titles under Guy Roux – provides inspiration for a club seeking to re-establish itself among France’s elite. This season’s squad reflects Pélissier’s tactical vision: organised defenders, technical midfielders, and a fluid attack that prioritises possession and vertical transitions. Below lies an exhaustive examination of Auxerre’s first-team roster for 2025/26, organised by position, with each player’s journey, financial details, and stylistic fingerprints dissected thoroughly.
Goalkeepers
Théo De Percin
Nationality: French (Martiniquais descent)
Former Clubs: Auxerre academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Théo De Percin has become Auxerre’s undisputed number one following his graduation from the club’s famed academy, the French shot-stopper providing reflexes, command, and distribution that have silenced pre-season sceptics. The 24-year-old’s shot-stopping (76% save percentage in 2024/25 Ligue 2, 74% in 2025/26 Ligue 1 to date) and command of the penalty area (87% cross-claiming success) have been instrumental in Auxerre’s survival campaign. De Percin’s distribution (88% pass completion) remains functional. Having started 30 league matches in 2025/26, keeping 11 clean sheets, he has proven remarkably durable. De Percin’s contract runs through 2029.
Donovan Léon
Nationality: French (Guianan descent)
Former Clubs: Brest, Auxerre
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2022)
Donovan Léon has accepted a rotational role behind De Percin, providing French experience, cup competition cover, and dressing room leadership. The 32-year-old’s shot-stopping (73% save percentage in limited appearances) and distribution (86% pass completion) provide functional cover. Léon started 8 matches in 2025/26 (cup competitions and De Percin’s rest), keeping 3 clean sheets. Léon’s contract runs through 2028.
Tom Negrel
Nationality: French
Former Clubs: Auxerre academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Tom Negrel has served as emergency third-choice option following development with Auxerre’s youth setup. The 22-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
Defenders
Jubal (Captain)
Nationality: Brazilian
Former Clubs: Santos (youth), Cuiabá (loan), Ceará (loan), Auxerre
Transfer Fee: €1 million (2021)
Jubal has become Auxerre’s captain and defensive leader, the Brazilian centre-back providing physicality, aerial dominance, and organisational communication across five seasons at the club. The 32-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 Auxerre’s defence, neutralising target forwards and providing set-piece security. Jubal’s tackling (2.8 per 90) and blocks (1.3 per 90) demonstrate aggressive defending. His partnership with Paul Joly has conceded only 1.08 goals per 90 minutes over the 2025/26 season to date. Jubal’s contract runs through 2029.
Paul Joly
Nationality: French (Ivorian descent)
Former Clubs: Dijon, Auxerre
Transfer Fee: €500,000 (2023)
Paul Joly has become Jubal’s long-term partner, the French-Ivorian centre-back providing physicality, recovery pace, and tactical discipline across three seasons at the club. The 25-year-old’s aerial duel success (85%) and tackling (2.7 per 90) provide defensive security. Joly’s contract runs through 2028.
Clément Akpa
Nationality: French (Ivorian descent)
Former Clubs: Auxerre academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Clément Akpa has become Auxerre’s first-choice left-back, the French-Ivorian defender providing energy, crossing, and defensive improvement following his graduation from the club’s academy. The 23-year-old’s overlapping runs (3.7 per 90) and crossing (37% accuracy) created 3 assists in 2025/26. Akpa’s contract runs through 2029.
Ki-Jana Hoever
Nationality: Dutch
Former Clubs: Liverpool, Wolverhampton Wanderers, PSV Eindhoven (loan), Stoke City (loan), Auxerre
Transfer Fee: €2 million (2025)
Ki-Jana Hoever’s summer 2025 arrival from Wolverhampton Wanderers added Dutch youth pedigree, pace, and crossing to Auxerre’s right-back position. The 23-year-old’s overlapping runs (3.6 per 90) and crossing (36% accuracy) created 2 assists in 2025/26. Hoever’s contract runs through 2029.
Gideon Mensah
Nationality: Ghanaian
Former Clubs: Liefering, FC Salzburg, Zulte Waregem (loan), Bordeaux, Auxerre
Transfer Fee: €1 million (2023)
Gideon Mensah has provided left-back depth following his arrival from Bordeaux, the Ghanaian international offering pace and crossing. The 27-year-old’s overlapping runs (3.4 per 90) and crossing (36% accuracy) created 1 assist in 2025/26. Mensah’s contract runs through 2028.
Saad Agouzoul
Nationality: French (Moroccan descent)
Former Clubs: Lille, Auxerre
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2024)
Saad Agouzoul has provided centre-back depth following his free transfer from Lille, the French-Moroccan defender offering physicality and aerial presence. The 27-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
Elisha Owusu
Nationality: Ghanaian (French-born)
Former Clubs: KAA Gent, Auxerre
Transfer Fee: €1 million (2023)
Elisha Owusu has provided centre-back and defensive midfield depth following his arrival from KAA Gent, the Ghanaian international offering versatility and tackling. The 27-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
Midfielders
Assane Dioussé
Nationality: Senegalese (French-born)
Former Clubs: Saint-Étienne, Auxerre
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2022)
Assane Dioussé has become Auxerre’s midfield anchor, the Senegalese midfielder providing tackling, interceptions, and tactical discipline across four seasons at the club. The 28-year-old’s tackling (3.3 per 90) and interceptions (2.6 per 90) lead Auxerre’s midfield. His work rate (11.7 kilometres per match) and pressing intensity (11.4 pressures per 90) set Pélissier’s standards. Dioussé’s contract runs through 2028.
Lasso Coulibaly
Nationality: Ivorian
Former Clubs: Academie JMG, Auxerre
Transfer Fee: €500,000 (2023)
Lasso Coulibaly has become Auxerre’s midfield engine, the Ivorian midfielder providing energy, ball-carrying, and tactical intelligence across three seasons at the club. The 22-year-old’s ball-carrying (3.9 progressive carries per 90) and work rate provide midfield security. Coulibaly’s contract runs through 2029.
Gaëtan Perrin
Nationality: French
Former Clubs: Lyon (youth), Bourg-en-Bresse (loan), Orléans (loan), Auxerre
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2022)
Gaëtan Perrin has become Auxerre’s creative heartbeat, the French attacking midfielder providing passing range, set-piece delivery, and finishing from attacking midfield across four seasons at the club. The 29-year-old’s finishing (7 goals in 2025/26) and creativity (6 assists) provide balanced output. Perrin’s contract runs through 2028.
Kevin Danois
Nationality: French (Martiniquais descent)
Former Clubs: Auxerre academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Kevin Danois has provided midfield depth following his graduation from Auxerre’s academy, the 23-year-old Frenchman offering energy and passing. Danois’s contract runs through 2029.
Nathan Buayi-Kiala
Nationality: French (Congolese descent)
Former Clubs: Auxerre academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Nathan Buayi-Kiala has emerged as a promising midfield rotation option following his graduation from Auxerre’s academy, the 21-year-old providing energy and tactical discipline. Buayi-Kiala’s contract runs through 2029.
Rayan Raveloson
Nationality: Malagasy (French-born)
Former Clubs: Troyes, Auxerre
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2024)
Rayan Raveloson has provided midfield depth following his free transfer from Troyes, the Malagasy international offering energy and tackling. The 28-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
Forwards
Lassine Sinayoko
Nationality: Malian (French-born)
Former Clubs: Auxerre academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Lassine Sinayoko has become Auxerre’s primary attacking weapon, the Malian forward providing finishing, pace, and hold-up play following his graduation from the club’s academy. The 26-year-old’s finishing (13 goals in 2025/26) and conversion rate (26%) provide consistent scoring threat. Sinayoko’s movement off the shoulder (3.2 shots per 90, 0.56 xG per shot) terrorises defences. His work rate pressing centre-backs (10.7 pressures per 90) sets Auxerre’s defensive tone from the front. Sinayoko’s contract runs through 2029.
Florian Ayé
Nationality: French (Ivorian descent)
Former Clubs: Brescia, Auxerre
Transfer Fee: €1 million (2023)
Florian Ayé has provided striker depth following his arrival from Brescia, the French-Ivorian forward offering physicality, finishing, and hold-up play as Sinayoko’s understudy. The 28-year-old’s finishing (6 goals in 2025/26) and aerial duel success (82%) provide functional depth. Ayé’s contract runs through 2028.
Ado Onaiwu
Nationality: Japanese (Nigerian descent)
Former Clubs: Urawa Red Diamonds, Toulouse, Auxerre
Transfer Fee: €1.5 million (2024)
Ado Onaiwu has provided striker and wide depth following his arrival from Toulouse, the Japanese forward offering physicality, finishing, and work rate. The 30-year-old’s finishing (5 goals in 2025/26) provides functional depth. Onaiwu’s contract runs through 2028.
Nicolas Mercier
Nationality: French
Former Clubs: Auxerre academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Nicolas Mercier has emerged as a promising wide option following his graduation from Auxerre’s academy, the 21-year-old forward providing pace, dribbling, and finishing. Mercier’s finishing (3 goals in 2025/26) and dribbling (3.3 successful take-ons per 90) suggest potential. Mercier’s contract runs through 2029.
Madiou Keita
Nationality: French (Senegalese descent)
Former Clubs: Auxerre academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Madiou Keita has provided emergency wide depth following his graduation from Auxerre’s academy. The 22-year-old’s contract runs through 2029.
Yanis Soumaré
Nationality: French (Malien descent)
Former Clubs: Auxerre academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Yanis Soumaré has been named among the substitutes in 2025/26, the 19-year-old forward representing the future of Auxerre’s attacking depth. Soumaré’s contract runs through 2030.
Conclusion
Auxerre’s 2025/26 squad represents the most homegrown and resilient group assembled since the legendary Guy Roux era, a testament to Christophe Pélissier’s coaching, the recruitment team’s intelligence (Jubal, Hoever, Ayé), and the academy’s continued production (De Percin, Sinayoko, Akpa, Mercier). The defence, anchored by Jubal’s Brazilian physicality and Paul Joly’s French solidity, provides platform for Auxerre’s possession-based, attacking system. The midfield, dominated by Assane Dioussé’s Senegalese tackling and Gaëtan Perrin’s French creativity, controls matches through pressing, disruption, and set-piece quality. The attack, headlined by Lassine Sinayoko’s Malian finishing, carries sufficient goal threat to secure survival. Crucially, Auxerre has balanced immediate competitiveness with long-term planning; De Percin, Sinayoko, Coulibaly, and Akpa represent significant resale value while contributing immediately – continuing the club’s historic tradition of developing talent for profitable sale. The looming challenge involves maintaining Ligue 1 status without the financial resources of France’s traditional powers – and preserving the legacy of Guy Roux, who built this club from nothing. Yet the Stade de l’Abbé-Deschamps’s historic, intimate atmosphere provides emotional fuel. Auxerre no longer hopes merely to survive; they expect to re-establish themselves as a stable Ligue 1 fixture, honouring the memory of their glorious past. This squad appears equipped to deliver another season of top-flight football. Allez Auxerre.
