PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Yan Valery |
| Date of Birth | 22 February 1999 (Age: 27) |
| Place of Birth | Champigny-sur-Marne, France |
| Nationality | Tunisian / French |
| Height | 1.80–1.85 m / 5 ft 11 in–6 ft 1 in |
| Weight | 71–85 kg / 157–187 lbs |
| Position | Right-Back / Defender |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | #22 (BSC Young Boys, loan), #7 (Sheffield Wednesday) |
| Current Club | Sheffield Wednesday |
| Previous Clubs | Southampton, Angers SCO, Birmingham City, BSC Young Boys (loan) |
| International Caps | 22 |
| International Goals | 0 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Contract Until | 2027 |
| Market Value | — |
The Frozen Moment
Estadio BBVA, Monterrey. June 16, 2026. Tunisia and Sweden, locked in a World Cup group-stage opener that would set the tone for the Eagles of Carthage’s campaign. For Yan Valery, the 27-year-old right-back who had switched allegiance from France to Tunisia, this was the moment he had been waiting for.
He started the match, playing 72 minutes against the Scandinavian giants. But the tournament was brutal—a 5-1 defeat to Sweden. Four days later came Japan—a 4-0 loss. Then the Netherlands—a 3-1 defeat.
Tunisia crashed out of the World Cup at the group stage for the seventh time in their history, having never progressed beyond the first round. Valery started all three matches, completing the full 90 minutes against Japan and the Netherlands.
“This hurts deeply,” Valery posted on Instagram after the elimination. “Two years of sacrifices and hard work to qualify for this competition, only to fail in this way… But giving up is not an option. God willing, Tunisia will come back stronger on every level.”
The boy from Champigny-sur-Marne, who had come through the youth systems of Rennes and Southampton, who had played in the Premier League and Ligue 1, who had chosen his father’s homeland over France, had finally played at a World Cup. It ended in disappointment, but the journey had been extraordinary.
Origins
Yan Valery was born on February 22, 1999, in Champigny-sur-Marne, France. He is a dual Franco-Tunisian national, holding both citizenships.
His footballing journey began in the French youth system. He initially played for Stade Rennais, spending time in their U15 and U17 teams before making the move to England to join Southampton’s academy in 2015.
He represented France at both U17 and U18 levels before making the decision to switch allegiance to Tunisia in January 2019. Tunisia manager Alain Giresse was instrumental in convincing him to commit to the Eagles of Carthage.
He made his senior debut for Tunisia in September 2022, coming on as a late substitute in a 5-1 defeat to Brazil. His international career has since grown to 22 caps.
The Forge
Southampton (2015–2022):
Valery developed through Southampton’s academy system after joining the club in 2015. He made his first-team breakthrough in November 2018, going on to make 43 Premier League appearances for the Saints. His Premier League experience totalled 43 matches—significant exposure to England’s top flight.
He had a loan spell at Birmingham City in the Championship in early 2021, making limited appearances. His time at Southampton came to an end when he completed a transfer to Angers SCO in France.
Angers SCO (2022–2024):
Valery moved to French Ligue 1 side Angers SCO in September 2022. He made 35 Ligue 1 appearances. After two seasons in France, he returned to English football.
Sheffield Wednesday (2024–Present):
In June 2024, Valery signed for Sheffield Wednesday for an undisclosed fee, linking up with former Southampton coach Danny Röhl. Over his time at the club, he has made 63 appearances. In the 2024–25 season, he was a key player for the Owls.
The 2025–26 season was turbulent for Sheffield Wednesday. The club entered a financial crisis and suffered an 18-point deduction. This led to Valery being loaned out to Swiss side BSC Young Boys.
BSC Young Boys (Loan, 2026):
On February 9, 2026, Valery joined Swiss Super League champions BSC Young Boys on loan until the end of the season, without a purchase option. He made 14 league appearances, accumulating 944 minutes of playing time and providing 3 assists. He kept 3 clean sheets in his 14 appearances. The loan move helped Young Boys with their defensive depth for the remainder of the season.
International Career:
Valery has earned 22 caps for Tunisia since his debut in 2022. He was selected for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations squad. At the 2026 World Cup, he started all three group matches against Sweden, Japan, and the Netherlands. Tunisia finished bottom of Group F without a point, conceding 12 goals.
The Anatomy of His Game
Yan Valery is a 27-year-old right-back defined by his versatility, athleticism, and Premier League experience. Standing at approximately 1.85 meters, he is a modern full-back with attacking and defensive qualities.
In Possession:
Valery is a capable attacking full-back who contributes to the offensive phase. He provided 3 assists in 14 appearances during his loan spell at Young Boys. He has accumulated 19 career assists across 273 matches. He has scored 6 career goals, demonstrating occasional attacking threat. His ball progression is a key strength, with his ability to carry the ball forward from the defensive line.
Out of Possession:
Defensively, Valery’s output is reliable. In the 2025–26 Super League season, he conceded 11 goals in 14 appearances (1.05 per 90 minutes), ranking in the 85th percentile. He made 14 tackles (1.33 per 90), 8 interceptions (0.76 per 90), and 19 clearances (1.81 per 90). He contributed to 3 clean sheets (21%). His disciplinary record is solid—he received 2 yellow cards.
Psychological Edge:
Valery’s mental resilience is demonstrated by his career choices. He switched allegiance from France to Tunisia—a decision that required conviction. He has played in four different leagues—Premier League, Championship, Ligue 1, and the Swiss Super League—adapting to different styles and cultures. His World Cup experience, despite the disappointment, has strengthened his resolve. “Giving up is not an option,” he said after Tunisia’s exit.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2025/26 Season)
| Competition | Apps | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super League (BSC Young Boys) | 14 | 944 | 0 | 3 | 6.81 |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 (Tunisia) | 3 | 252 | 0 | 0 | — |
| TOTAL | 17 | 1,196 | 0 | 3 | — |
TABLE B: Career (League)
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018–19 | Southampton | Premier League | 22 | 0 |
| 2019–20 | Southampton | Premier League | 21 | 0 |
| 2020–21 | Southampton/Birmingham | Premier League/Championship | — | — |
| 2021–22 | Southampton | Premier League | — | — |
| 2022–23 | Angers SCO | Ligue 1 | — | — |
| 2023–24 | Angers SCO | Ligue 2 | 35 | — |
| 2024–25 | Sheffield Wednesday | Championship | 30+ | 0 |
| 2025–26 | BSC Young Boys (loan) | Super League | 14 | 0 |
| TOTAL | — | — | ~273 | 6 |
TABLE C: International Record (2022–2026)
| Tournament/Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friendlies | 19+ | 0 | — |
| Africa Cup of Nations 2025 | — | 0 | — |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| TOTAL | 22 | 0 | — |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Southampton Move | Joined from Rennes academy |
| 2018 | Premier League Debut | For Southampton |
| 2019 | Tunisia Commitment | Agreed to represent Tunisia |
| 2022 | Tunisia Debut | vs Brazil |
| 2022 | Angers Move | Joined Ligue 1 side |
| 2024 | Sheffield Wednesday Move | Signed for Championship club |
| 2026 | BSC Young Boys Loan | Joined Swiss club on loan |
| 2026 | World Cup Selection | Named in Tunisia’s squad |
| 2026 | World Cup Appearances | Started all 3 group matches |
What these figures reveal is a player of significant experience at just 27. Valery has accumulated 273 professional appearances, including 43 in the Premier League and 35 in Ligue 1. His 22 international caps and World Cup experience demonstrate his value to Tunisia. His loan move to Young Boys provided European football and three assists in 14 appearances.
The Present Tense
Yan Valery is 27 years old, entering the prime of his career. He is Sheffield Wednesday’s right-back, a Tunisian international, and a 2026 World Cup participant.
The Sheffield Wednesday Story:
Valery signed for Sheffield Wednesday in June 2024 and has made 63 appearances for the club. He spent the second half of the 2025–26 season on loan at Swiss side BSC Young Boys, making 14 appearances and providing 3 assists. Sheffield Wednesday’s financial crisis forced them to allow the loan move to proceed. Valery has one year remaining on his contract and has returned to training at Wednesday. His future remains uncertain, with interest from the Middle East and suggestions he is “too good for League One.”
The World Cup Campaign:
Valery was named in Tunisia’s 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, starting all three group matches. Tunisia lost 5-1 to Sweden, 4-0 to Japan, and 3-1 to the Netherlands, finishing bottom of Group F. Manager Sabri Lamouchi was sacked after the opening match and replaced by Hervé Renard, but the change failed to have an impact. Valery played 72 minutes against Sweden and the full 90 minutes against Japan and the Netherlands.
International Record:
Valery has earned 22 caps for Tunisia since his debut in 2022. He was selected for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. He has yet to score an international goal.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Yan Valery is defined by his dual identity and his decision to commit to Tunisia. Born in France to a Tunisian father, he grew up in the Paris region and was formed at Rennes and Southampton before making his Premier League breakthrough.
His international career has been shaped by personal conviction. In January 2019, Tunisia manager Alain Giresse convinced Valery to switch allegiance to the Eagles of Carthage. He has since become a regular in the squad, representing his father’s homeland with pride.
His World Cup disappointment was public and emotional. In his Instagram post after Tunisia’s elimination, Valery expressed his pain but also his determination: “Two years of sacrifices and hard work to qualify for this competition, only to fail in this way, hurts deeply… Thank you to everyone who has supported us despite everything and continues to support us.”
His club future is uncertain. He has returned to Sheffield Wednesday for pre-season training but is expected to leave, with his quality far above League One level.
The Verdict from the Camp
The Star
, on Valery’s World Cup campaign:
Valery started each of Tunisia’s three matches at the tournament, completing the full 90 minutes in the defeats to Japan and the Netherlands respectively.
BBC Sport
, on Valery’s World Cup involvement:
Valery joined up with Tunisia for the World Cup. The France-born defender played all 90 minutes in Tunisia’s 1-0 defeat to Austria on 1 June to mark his 22nd cap.
Yan Valery
, on Tunisia’s World Cup exit:
Two years of sacrifices and hard work to qualify for this competition, only to fail in this way, hurts deeply… But giving up is not an option. We have to react very quickly and get back to work in every possible area, starting with us, the players.
BSC Young Boys
, on signing Valery:
The BSC Young Boys has the pleasure of announcing the signing of the Tunisian international Yan Valery. An agreement was found with Sheffield Wednesday for a loan until the end of the season, without a purchase option.
Kicker
, on the Young Boys loan:
The transfer of Yan Valery to the BSC Young Boys was made possible because Sheffield Wednesday is currently in a financial crisis and had to accept an 18-point deduction.
Where Next?
Yan Valery is 27 years old and entering the prime of his career. He is established at Sheffield Wednesday, a Tunisian international with 22 caps, and a World Cup participant.
For Tunisia
, Valery is a key player. He started all three World Cup matches and is likely to remain in the squad for future tournaments, including the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. His experience in four different leagues makes him a valuable asset.
For Sheffield Wednesday
, Valery’s future is uncertain. He has one year remaining on his contract and has returned to training. Interest from the Middle East has been reported, and fans accept that he is “too good for League One.” A move away before the September transfer deadline is possible.
His career trajectory is one of Premier League experience, European football, and World Cup participation. He has played in the Premier League, Championship, Ligue 1, Ligue 2, and the Swiss Super League, accumulating over 270 appearances across five countries. His World Cup debut at 27 was the culmination of years of international commitment.
The boy from Champigny-sur-Marne who chose Tunisia, who played in the Premier League and Ligue 1, who qualified for and played at a World Cup—Yan Valery’s journey is a story of identity, commitment, and the pursuit of a dream on football’s greatest stage.
