Lorient - injuries & suspensions October 2026

Lorient returned to Ligue 1 in 2025 and made good use of their first season after promotion, finishing tenth. However, the club faced a major rebuild over the summer. Olivier Pantaloni left for Nice, and the team also lost its captain, Laurent Abergel, and one of its most important attacking players, Pablo Pagis. New coach Alexandre Dujeux must now prepare the side for another season with a heavily reshaped squad.

Dujeux takes charge

Alexandre Dujeux signed a two-year contract with an option to extend for a further season. He previously worked at Angers, guiding them to Ligue 1 before keeping them in the top flight twice. He faces a similar task at Lorient: the club wants to stay in the top division without spending beyond its means. Last season showed that Lorient can compete effectively with wealthier teams. Now, however, Dujeux must begin by getting to know his new players and defining their roles in the team.

Key departures

Laurent Abergel spent seven years at Lorient before moving to Nice. As captain, he was responsible not only for winning the ball and working in midfield, but also for organising the team's play. Pablo Pagis, who enjoyed a good Ligue 1 season, joined Paris FC. Lorient earned around 15 million euros from his transfer. Bamba Dieng also left the club, as did Sambou Soumano, who moved to Reims. Darlin Yongwa, meanwhile, chose Norwich City. Such a large number of departures means the coach will have to find new solutions when selecting his starting line-up.

The transfers are also tied to the club's financial policy. Sporting director Laurent Koscielny had announced plans to reduce the wage bill and return to a model focused on developing players. Lorient are therefore making greater use of loans, sometimes with an option to buy, rather than spending large sums on permanent transfers.

Eight new faces

Among the new arrivals is Noah Mbamba, who has joined on loan from Bayer Leverkusen. He can play in midfield and defence, giving Dujeux another option when selecting his team. Winger Isak Jensen has joined on loan from AZ Alkmaar, while Souleymane Faye arrived on loan from Sporting. Both are expected to bolster the attack following Pagis's departure.

There have also been changes in defence. Nosa Obaretin joined Lorient from Napoli on loan with an option to buy, while Srdjan Kuzmić was signed from Viborg. Gabin Bernardeau from Nice and Ibrahima Baldé from Rodez have also joined the team. The new players give the coach more options, but they will need to build an understanding on the pitch quickly.

The core that remains

Despite the departures, Lorient have not lost all the players they relied on last season. Montassar Talbi will continue to anchor the defence, and experienced goalkeeper Yvon Mvogo remains in the squad. Arsène Kouassi, Théo Le Bris and Jean-Victor Makengo are also among those expected to play important roles.

In midfield, the coach will be able to call on Noah Cadiou and Arthur Avoma. Mohamed Bamba and Aiyegun Tosin remain in attack. This group already knows the club and the demands of Ligue 1, so its importance will grow in the opening weeks of the season. The new players will need their support as they settle into the team.

Maintaining the level after a successful return

Finishing tenth after promotion was a good result for Lorient. The club now wants to show that it can stay in Ligue 1 without having to fight for survival until the final rounds. That will not be easy, however, after the departures of Pantaloni, Abergel and Pagis. Dujeux must establish a new hierarchy within the team and find players ready to take responsibility from the former leaders. If the new arrivals settle into the side quickly, Lorient have a chance of finishing the season in the safe part of the table once again.