John MENSAH

John Mensah was loaned to Stade Rennais in January 2006 by Chievo Verona. Searching for a central defender, as a result of the long-term injury to Ouaddou, Dréossi tried his luck with this Ghanean international, unknown in Italy. It proved to be a masterstroke as the “Rock of Djiporta” marshalled his defence expertly up to the end of the season, and convinced Rennes to make his move to Brittany permanent. After a successful World Cup in 2006 with Ghana, he was irreplaceable at the heart of the defence in 2006/2007, alongside Bourillon, then Faty, but missed out with his side, 30 seconds away from a historic qualification for the Champions League at Lille. (1-1) Sadly, this powerful defender, with springs in his feet, was often injured. He became Club Captain in 2008 after Didot was dropped to the substitutes’ bench. At the end of the 2008/2009 season, where Rennes qualified for the UEFA Cup, he joined Lyon for 8.4 Million Euros. Out of contract in January 2013, he re-joined Rennes for a six-month spell.