David SOMMEIL

Shortly after Pinault bought the club in 1998, David Sommeil was signed from Caen, beating off numerous French clubs fighting for his signature. Right-back by trade, the player from Guadeloupe convinced Le Guen to make him undisputed first-choice in that position. At Rennes he demonstrated his incredible qualities of power, and was merciless in the tackle. Taking advantage of the injury to Dogon, he was shifted into the centre alongside Arribagé. It was in this position that he became one of the best specialists in France, and Rennes finished the season 5th in the league. Although he was somewhat distracted by off-the-pitch affairs along with Bassila and Diatta, his 1999/2000 season was just as convincing as the one before it, playing 41 games, scoring twice. Subject the attention of numerous clubs in the Premier League, and by the best clubs in France, Sommeil left to join Bordeaux for the club-record sum at that time of 7.6 Million Euros. After suffering a heart-attack, and being plunged into a long coma, his career ended in 2008 in Valenciennes.