Skip to content

Rennes nabs teen talent Ismaila Sarr from Metz

REUTERS/Vincent Kessler

After providing a launching pad for Ousmane Dembele's emerging stardom, Rennes knows a thing or two about talented teenage attackers.

Les Rouges et Noirs now have another crafty young winger in the fold after 19-year-old Ismaila Sarr swapped Metz and the heart of the Lorraine region for the Gallic charm of Rennes on Wednesday on a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

For Christian Gourcuff's mid-table side, the acquisition of Sarr is nothing less than a coup after reports surfaced linking the six-time Senegal international with moves to Barcelona, Dembele's Borussia Dortmund, and Newcastle.

"It's my pleasure to sign at Stade Rennais. The adventure of Rennes will soon begin for me, I already feel red and black," Sarr told Rennes' official website.

"I resumed with FC Metz thinking to stay there to continue to progress. I had the opportunity to join Rennes and I am very proud of it. For me, leaving FC Metz to join FC Barcelona was too early."

Able to ply his trade on either wing, Sarr bagged five Ligue 1 goals last season in 31 appearances after joining Metz from Senegalese outfit AS Generation Foot ahead of the 2016-17 campaign.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox