Habib HABIBOU

When looking for a striker to give the indispensable Toivonen a breather, Stade Rennais signed Habib Habibou on the last day of the Summer transfer window in 2014. Developed at Paris Saint Germain, this huge centre forward of 1.92m had spent the majority of his career plying his trade in Belgium, where he was often decisive with Zulte-Waregem or Ghent. His first season in Rennes was disappointing, managing just 3 goals in 31 appearances (one of which was the 2800th goal scored by Rennes in the top flight.) Left out in the first half of the following season 2015/2016, he only made one brief appearance as substitute before being loaned out to Gaziantespor on 22nd January 2016 with a buyout clause. Upon his return from his loan spell, his only action was at the La Piverdière training ground, and his only appearance came in the French Cup at Biarritz, where his scored his 4th and final goal for the club. Often on the receiving end of fan derision, Habib Habibou joined Lens on 31st January 2017 with six months left on his contract in Brittany.