Transfer Market: Mehdi Zeffane has found his new destination

After several months away from the pitch, former Algerian international Mehdi Zeffane is preparing to make his return to the French league. At 34 years old, the right-back has decided to take on a new challenge, hoping to leverage his experience for a project that is partly familiar to him.

Mehdi Zeffane will continue his career in France. The Algerian defender officially signed on Friday with GOAL FC, which plays in National 1, after participating in the entire summer preparation with the club from Rhône. This return marks a new chapter for the player in a region he knows particularly well.

Originally from Sainte-Foy-lès-Lyon and trained at Olympique Lyonnais, Zeffane is thus returning to a familiar environment. He joined GOAL FC this summer to take part in the preparations, but both parties took their time to finalize their agreement. This has now been completed.

At 34, the former Fennec has significant experience in professional football. He has accumulated around 240 professional matches, including 105 in Ligue 1, having notably played for OL, Stade Rennais, and Clermont. His career has also taken him to Russia, Turkey, and more recently Algeria, where he played with ES Mostaganem.

His time at Rennes is particularly marked by a memorable year in 2019. Zeffane won the Coupe de France with the Breton club before participating a few months later in Algeria's triumph at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. With the Fennecs, he has a total of 19 caps.

Free since January after his stint at Mostaganem, the defender will now strive to fully relaunch his career with GOAL FC. His experience and knowledge of the top level could prove to be a valuable asset for Pierre Thimonier's team, which is now counting on him to bring stability and experience to its squad.

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Mehdi Zeffane, 34-year-old Algerian international, officially joins GOAL FC for this season. ⚫️

Trained at Olympique Lyonnais, the full-back has over 240 professional matches, including… pic.twitter.com/KSIcJHMGDu

— Championnat National 1 FFF (@ChampionnatN1) September 11, 2026

DZfoot