By formalizing the signing of Pau Lopez on Tuesday evening, the Racing Club de Lens has recruited its third goalkeeper in the space of six months. However, the number 1 holder has been the same since July 2022.
While waiting for the highly probable departure of Brice Samba, RC Lens currently has five professional goalkeepers in its squad : Hervé Koffi, Pau Lopez, Denis Petric and Brice Samba. In addition, we must add Yannick Pandor, goalkeeper currently on loan to Boulogne-sur-Mer, without counting the young Adam Delplace and Roman Karolewicz.
For a year now, it has been a waltz in the sector of blood and gold guardians. First of all, there was the termination of contract with Wuilker Farinez a year ago leaving the Leca-Pandor-Samba trio in the professional squad. Then there's a commotion. In May, Jean-Louis Leca made the decision to put away his gloves. In June, the signing of Hervé Koffi was made official. In July, Yannick Pandor extended his contract, but was sent on loan to Boulogne-sur-Mer. Finally, in August, Denis Petric moved to La Gaillette Gervais-Martel as third goalkeeper in the hierarchy.
Samba wants to leave
In the end, the lull returned to the goalkeepers during this first part of the season where Brice Samba had a string of meetings and 17 starts. Then, during the last meeting of 2024, it was Hervé Koffi who made his big debut with the RCL in the Coupe de France against PSG.
More this winter market has restarted the musical chairs in the goals. Brice Samba announced his desire to leave, so the leaders set about finding a replacement. And it is Pau Lopez who was chosen to become the third goalkeeper recruited during this 2024-2025 season. The Spaniard arrives in Pas-de-Calais on loan for six months with an option to buy. Hervé Koffi is of interest to a few clubs this winter. So what will happen next June?
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