The 2015-2016 Gym squad is gradually taking shape. On Tuesday, Maxime Le Marchand, a defender from Le Havre, signed on, and this Wednesday, the management finalized the signing of midfielder Jean-Michael Seri.
The 2015-2016 Gym squad is gradually taking shape. On Tuesday, Maxime Le Marchand, a defender from Le Havre, signed on, and this Wednesday, the management finalized the signing of midfielder Jean-Michael Seri.
Change is now, as the saying goes. At OGC Nice, this adage holds true as well. Three weeks after finishing the 2014-2015 season in eleventh place, the Gym is very active in the transfer market. Although the Hatem Ben Arfa case has been settled for several weeks, the two new players were also in the sights of the Nice management, and the only thing missing was the agreement of all parties.
Chronologically, Maxime Le Marchand, captain of Le Havre, who plays both as a left defender and in the central position, comes to strengthen a sector that was struggling at the end of the season. With Grégoire Puel’s scheduled departure, the uncertainty surrounding Souleymane Diawara’s situation (he is still imprisoned at the Baumettes), and Kevin Gomis’s difficulties, Nice had marked the option of a defender as a priority.
Followed since the winter transfer window, according to the specialized press, the 25-year-old Le Havre defender played 33 Ligue 2 matches last season. A great opportunity for the Aiglons that resembles the arrival of Romain Genevois, who was a starter with Tours before establishing himself under the direction of Claude Puel.
As for Jean-Michael Seri, the situation is different. At 24, he knows the high level. Trained at Africa Sports in ASEC Mimosas in Côte d’Ivoire, a club renowned for its quality young generation, he moved to FC Porto’s reserve team in the summer of 2012 before landing at Paços Ferreira a season later. This season, he was even named the best player of the club and received his first call-up with the Elephants.
“When I came here, I spoke with the coach. He explained what he expected from me, the team’s philosophy, simply saying that OGC Nice loved to play ball. His speech convinced me, and to be honest, I didn’t hesitate for a second when it came to signing,” said the new aiglon on the club’s website.
The three new players should be presented in the coming days to the media and the Nice public.
Photo credit and more information on www.ogcnice.com
