Adrien Thomasson has finally explained why he left RC Lens for Stade Rennais this summer, crediting Franck Haise's influence in the decision, days after scoring the winner against Olympique de Marseille (1-0).
Three years at Lens, then the split
The 32 year old midfielder spent three seasons at RC Lens before leaving the northern club as a free agent last summer. He had been Ligue 1's top assist provider the previous season and was the first captain in Stade Rennais history to lift the Coupe de France. Speaking to reporters, he admitted the choice took time to make.
"Moving from Lens to Stade Rennais FC wasn't straightforward, it took time, I weighed the pros and cons carefully," he said.
Haise tips the balance
Thomasson had already announced by the end of last season that he would not extend his contract at Lens. Several options opened up abroad, including offers from Galatasaray, Olympiakos and Major League Soccer clubs. He ultimately chose to stay in Ligue 1 to work again with a coach he knows well: Franck Haise, now in charge at Stade Rennais FC after previously managing him at Lens. That working relationship weighed heavily on his decision, though the midfielder was careful to qualify it.
"The relationship isn't necessarily special because I want him to see me as just another squad player," he said, adding that he favours a benevolent approach to football rather than special treatment.
Immediate impact on the pitch
Since arriving, Thomasson has quickly settled into the Stade Rennais FC starting line up. He scored the only goal in the win over Marseille (52nd minute) on 11 September 2026, a 1-0 result that ended a run of three defeats in five matches (1W-1D-3L). Stade Rennais FC also has a 3-2 win over Le Mans and a 2-2 draw with Paris Saint Germain in its recent results before the international break. The club's upcoming matches can be checked on the fixtures page, while Thomasson's place in the starting eleven can be followed on the squad page.
