Contracts : Brahimi signs contract extension until June 2014

A more than welcomed contract extension

This signature was eagerly awaited, as no one at the club wanted to see the young attacking midfielder leave on a free transfer next season. It was thought however, that a deal could be taking much time to be struck, as it did in June 2008. A winner of the Gambardella Cup, Brahimi only signed his first three year professional contract at the term of hard-fought negotiations. Targeted by a score of European teams, the wonderkid even considered not signing for Rennes before listening to the voice of reason.

Arrived at the club’s Academy in 2006 from INF Clairefontaine, Brahimi improved continually in Patrick Rampillon’s structure. After winning the U18 France Championship, he went on to win the Gambardella Cup in May 2008, starring in the trashing of Bordeaux (3-0) in final at the Stade de France. Immediately, the “Brahimania” started and all Rennes supporters discovered his talent, eagerly waiting for the prodigy to be brought into the professional squad.

Left to play with Laurent Huard’s Reserve, he played forty games before being loaned to Clermont Foot (Ligue 2) during the 2009-2010 season. A key player in Clermont, Brahimi and his team managed a brilliant second half of the season. As the Ligue 2 closed to an end, the French-Algerian’s influence is growing continuously, and Clermont-Foot remained in contention for a Ligue 1 promotion until the last game week. With eight goals and two assists to his name, the Montreuil-born player took another dimension under Michel Der Zakarian’s management.

Back to Rennes with a promise for first-team football from Frédéric Antonetti, Brahimi, often included in the friendly games’ starting line-ups, could feel the trust from his manager, as he recognised recently on the club’s official website: ”The pre-season gave me a lot of confidence. Now, as time goes by, I’m feeling better and better”. Fast, with a technique above average, he clearly brings fantasy and fluidity to the Rennes attacking line.

His performances were remarked and appreciated as the Ligue 1 was about to restart. Against Lille Antonetti didn’t hesitate to launch him, offering him a first start in Ligue 1. Starting on the right wing, he managed an interesting performance, especially with his ability to change the pace and give his opponents the run-around with his meteoric accelerations. Coming out under an ovation from the Route de Lorient fans, the attacking midfielder will have to repeat that kind of performances to become one of Ligue 1’s main attractions of the season. He certainly seems to be on the right way.

"Leave him alone"

Not inhibited by his sensational entry in the professional world, Brahimi is already confronted to heart-breaking decisions. With both the French and Algerian nationality, the young man, selected in all French national teams since the U16, is now forced to make choices.

Since several months, the Algerian and French federations are trying to convince the attacking midfielder to opt for their national team. In Algeria, it has even become a national matter, as the Algerian supporters are desperate to see the Rennes prodigy join the “Desert Foxes”.

Recently questioned about his international future in Le Buteur, Brahimi admitted not having taken a decision at this moment, and refused to consider the question as an important matter at this moment: “Honestly, right now I am playing for Rennes and I want to make it in the first team with my club. I’m not thinking of the Algerian national team at this moment. I’m not thinking of it now. We’ll see later… », he declared, maybe hoping for the hype around him to calm down a bit.

Also Read :
- Yacine Brahimi’s profile and stats