Sébastien PUYGRENIER

Developed at Stade Rennais FC, Sébastien Puygrenier appeared in the First Team squad in the 2001/2002 season. With his excellent aerial presence, he was an indispensable member of the Reserve team, and his took advantage of the absence of Cesar to appear in Gourcuff’s First Team squad on two occasions. It wasn’t until the 2002/2003 season under Halilhodzic that he made his First Team debut. After coming on for Echouafni in the French Cup against Sète (4-1 win), in January 2003, the player from Limoges got his first start in the next round against Ajaccio (3-0). On his second start, he was overrun (like the whole team) by the Lyon of Govou, Juninho and Luyindula, and finished on the losing side in a 1-4 defeat. He was loaned out to Nancy from 2003 to 2005, and helped them return to Ligue 1, before making his move permanent. Whilst there, he won the Ligue 2 championship in 2005, the League Cup in 2006, and was even in the Team of the Year for Ligue 1 before signing for Zenit St Petersburg.