Rodez Aveyron Football confirmed this weekend that its main recruitment focus for the 2026‑2027 season remains Ligue 3, with the arrivals of Steven Luyambula, Antonin Cartillier and Mathis Touho. The club finished 2025 in 5th place in Ligue 2 with 58 points (15 wins, 13 draws, 6 losses) and a recent form WWDWW, making every reinforcement essential.
Why does Ligue 3 stay Rodez's preferred talent pool?
Head coach Didier Santini says the lower tier is full of players able to step up quickly thanks to a more demanding environment. "There are players in L3 who should be in L2, even L1," he notes, recalling the breakthroughs of Stone Mambo, Noah Cadiou and Nolan Galves. The club relies on these profiles to offset its limited budget, one of the smallest in the division.
Who are the new signings?
Steven Luyambula, formerly of Orléans, brings solid physical experience. Antonin Cartillier, from Rouen, is praised for his offensive versatility. Mathis Touho, loaned to Villefranche‑Beaujolais last season, returns from Amiens with a good dose of speed. All three excelled in Ligue 3, convincing the club's analysts who use advanced scouting tools, according to Guillaume Laurens, director of football operations.
How does financial constraint shape the choices?
The Raf cannot afford high salaries, Santini explains: "We don't have the means to sign more experienced players; their wage demands are too high." Consequently, recruitment focuses on young talents or lesser‑known players, like Damjan Pavlovic from Zalgiris Kaunas, who signed this summer. The club prefers profiles that quickly adapt to its playing philosophy rather than costly veterans.
What are the stakes for the upcoming season?
With the calendar kicking off on August 8 against Laval, Rodez counts on these new pieces to sustain its momentum. Existing players - Loni Laurent, Clément Jolibois, Jordan Mendes and Octave Joly - must also improve to support the aim of reaching the play‑offs, as achieved in the past three seasons. The club hopes these signings will keep it competitive while respecting budget limits.
