Neuchâtel Xamax is back to work. In the middle of Euro football, the “red and black” formation began its preparation this Wednesday afternoon with a view to the resumption of the 2024 – 2025 Challenge League championship. The squad is still incomplete. There are only twelve players left from last season. However, six transfers have already been made. The newcomers are Guillaume Furrer, Jonathan Fontana, Mickaël Gonçalves, Euclides Cabral, Roland Ndongo and especially Koro Koné. Aged 34, the Ivorian striker signed for two years. He’s already traveled quite a bit. His sense of purpose brought joy to Servette, Yverdon and Thun in particular. Several arguments encouraged him to join Maladière: “If Xamax is a well-known club in French-speaking Switzerland, I also had other ideas. But, when the opportunity presented itself to come here, I took it. It brings me closer to my family who live in Yverdon. It is important. For me, when you are good at home, you are necessarily good outside,” says this striker with a recognized sense of purpose in all humility. “I also know the coach well. We had worked together for a year in Yverdon. Whether at a sporting or human level, he is a coach who is very close to his players. »
To complete its squad, Neuchâtel Xamax will test no fewer than six players this week. Two young people from the Xamax Academy have already been integrated into the squad of the first team: 18-year-old midfielder Marouane Calame as well as Hugo Bigirimana, 19, number three at the goalkeeper position. The club is looking for a number two goalkeeper to compete with Théo Guivarch. The contracts of the two other goalkeepers from last season will not be extended: Benjamin Roth should join Bienne, in the Promotion League while Ysias Hummel is still looking for a club.
Neuchâtel Xamax will begin the 2024 – 2025 Challenge League year on Friday July 19 at home. By then, Uli Forte’s team will have played five friendly matches. /mne
Saturday June 29, 11 a.m. at La Maladière, Xamax -Bulle
Tuesday July 2, 4 p.m., in Saanen, Young Boys – Xamax
Saturday July 6, 11 a.m. at La Maladière, Xamax – Delémont
Wednesday July 10, 6 p.m. at Bouveret, Sion – Xamax
Saturday July 13, 5 p.m., at La Maladière, Xamax- Lausanne
(This match is preceded by the team presentation)
