From national championship to high level
The National championship is one of the cradles of several great players. Indeed, players like Olivier Giroud or Mathieu Valbuena made their mark in this same championship before exploding at the highest level.
In the case of the AC Milan striker, after learning his skills at Istres in 2008, the Les Bleus striker left for Tours in Ligue 2. After a two-year stint in the French second division, Olivier Giroud joined the Hérault in the summer of 2010 or there he was elected top scorer in Ligue 1 during the 2011/2012 season. We know the rest of his career.
As far as Mathieu Valbuena is concerned, he went directly from the National Championship to Ligue 1. Indeed, during the 2005/2006 season, he greatly contributed to FC Libourne’s rise to Ligue 2, which saw him transfer in the summer from that same year at Olympique de Marseille.
A transition between the National and Ligue 1 which worked rather well since he will delight the Olympians for 8 seasons and will then have his first matches in the French team. OM will transfer to Dynamo Moscow for €7m in 2014.
A huge financial gain for a reduced risk
However, the case of Azzedine Ounahi, who arrived at SCO Angers in the summer of 2021 is very different. The Moroccan international only stayed one season in National with US Avranches before flying to Ligue 1. In addition, he played in a World Cup semi-final and only 1 year and a half after his departure from National.
At the Girondins de Bordeaux: Diawara, Faubert, Cohade
The FCGB has always been very cautious regarding the recruitment of players playing in National. However, we can cite a few well-known names. The first is Kaba Diawara who shines with Sporting Toulon Var in National. He was appointed by Bordeaux, which recruited him. He remains 4 seasons and will score 18 goals between 1995-1999. Bordeaux the transfer to Arsenal for 3M€.
The next, Julien Faubert is also part of these recruitments in National. After two full seasons in Cannes, he signed for Bordeaux in 2004. Arrived free, he left in 2007 against a check for €9m paid by West Ham to the Girondins. It’s the jackpot.
There is also the case of Renaud Cohade who signed with the Girondins in 2004 with two seasons in National with Nîmes. Him, he leaves the free Girondins.
Boutrah a shot to try in the transfer window?
Moreover, the case of Azzedine Ounahi is reminiscent of one of the Bordeaux tracks. Indeed, the 22-year-old player from US Concarneau, Amine Boutrah, author of 8 goals and 5 assists in the space of 15 league games, is watched by the leaders of the Girondins.
A transfer that wins in reward if we compare it to that of the Moroccan international and to those of many other great players who have passed through the National Championship. Besides the sporting aspect and the benefit of recruiting a talented player like Boutrah, the financial upheaval can be enormous for the club. Especially since the financial risk is reduced. It is rumored that Concarneau is asking for 300 k€ to release its fit man this winter.
We are a long way from the sum of €4.5 million invested in Fransergio in the summer of 2021 by the management of the Girondins.