Trained at Puy Foot, Maxence Fournel decided to leave Haute-Loire last summer to join Gueugnon, in National 3. Just a few months after his departure, the striker will return to his department of origin, signing for FC Espaly.
Maxence Fournel will return to his homeland. He made the decision to leave Gueugnon, to sign for FC Espaly, in another group of National 3. Saturday evening, he was already in the stands of Viouzou to witness the historic qualification of his new club, in the 8th round of the French Cup.
The Tençois will have only evolved for a few weeks in Burgundy. Time to take part in six N3 matches, including four as a starter. The striker was out of the group during the last two days of the championship. In terms of results, Gueugnon is struggling with only one victory in eight days and last place in the standings.
Maxence Fournel will reunite with Lionel Vaillant
Fournel therefore packed his bags to relaunch on the Espaly side. There, he will meet Lionel Vaillant. A coach he had already worked with at Puy Foot, with the reserve, in National 3 or Regional 1. The characteristics of the former Ponot correspond well to the Espaviot project. The 24-year-old does not skimp on efforts and only asks to demonstrate his qualities of endurance. But the competition promises to be tough, since quality players are already installed in his position.
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As a reminder, Maxence Fournel has already proven that he is capable of performing at national levels, when he wore the Ciel et Blanc jersey, a few hectometers from Viouzou. The Tençois had notably contributed to the rise of Puy Foot in National, in 2022, with three goals and two assists in the last five matches he had played. Last season, despite his understudy role and reduced playing time, the Altiligerian scored four goals in 19 championship matches, under the orders of Stéphane Dief.
Maxence Fournel will therefore find himself in a new environment, but one which will not be completely foreign to him. FC Espaly hopes that the air of Haute-Loire will be beneficial to see him quickly decisive in the Red and Black jersey.
Lucas Jacquet
France
