Frédéric PIQUIONNE

Even if it was assured as of the month of January 2001, Frédéric Piquionne’s transfer to Stade Rennais wasn’t actually completed until the June of the same year. The transfer from Nîmes happened when Gourcuff was manager at Rennes, and his task was to take up the role of fourth-choice striker behind Lucas, Monterrubio and Chapuis. On his debut for Rennes, however, he hit a brace against Synot in a 5-0 Intertoto Cup victory. This pacy and powerful centre-forward, usually brought on during matches, was a cup specialist: 6 of his 9 goals in the 2001/2002 season were scored in the cup. The following season, Bergeroo and then Halilhodzic put him as centre-forward. The striker from Martinique had his best season with Rennes, scoring 12 goals, even if his finishing wasn’t at its best. In the 2003/2004 season, he started to struggle with the blossoming Frei taking over, and he became a target for the home fans at the Route de Lorient Stadium. Despite Bölöni’s faith in him, he only managed 5 goals in 36 appearances. He was loaned to Saint-Etienne in 2004, and made his move there permanent in 2005.