Jean-Pierre CYPRIEN

Developed at Le Havre, Jean-Pierre Cyprien really got his career up-and-running at Saint-Etienne. His performances with “Les Verts” didn’t go unnoticed, as he was awarded his one and only cap for France at the beginning of 1994. During the summer of that year, Stade Rennais signed this solid centre-back, but Saint-Etienne took the transfer to FIFA. In the face of this legal imbroglio, the native of Guadeloupe was immediately loaned out to Torino, where his spell was spoiled by injury problems. When he returned to Brittany in July 1995, he replaced Jensen in central defence to take his place. Under the management of Le Milinaire, he had a presentable season in a defensive pairing with Denis; as was demonstrated by the fact that his side conceded only 41 goals in the league, compared to 55 in the previous season of 1994/1995. On his debut, he even scored the winner against Cannes in a 3-2 victory, and the Red and Blacks finished the season 8th, which qualified them for the Intertoto Cup. In June 1996, he was released by Rennes, and signed for Neuchâtel Xamax in Switzerland.