Nantes sign Balthazar Pierret on three-year deal

Nantes have added Balthazar Pierret to their midfield as Grégory Poirier continues rebuilding the squad after the club’s poor start to the season. The move was confirmed during an active final day of the transfer window and gives the coach another experienced option in the centre of the team.

Pierret has signed for three seasons, with Nantes holding an option to extend the agreement by an additional year. He becomes the ninth player recruited by the club during the summer transfer window, underlining the scale of the squad changes since Poirier replaced Michel Der Zakarian.

The defensive midfielder came through the youth system at Nice before beginning his senior career with Boulogne-sur-Mer in 2020. He has also played in Italy and Romania, and his experience includes the demands of Ligue 2. Nantes expect him to contribute both in possession and without the ball, with the ability to help control the team’s tempo.

Pierret already knows Poirier from their time together in the Paris region, giving the new signing an existing connection with the coach. Nantes also completed the arrival of left-back Amin Cherni on the same transfer deadline day as they continued to strengthen the squad.