Auxerre lose key defender Saad Agouzoul to Sochaux
AJ Auxerre have confirmed the departure of 29-year-old Moroccan centre-back Saad Agouzoul, who is returning to FC Sochaux-Montbéliard after three seasons with the Burgundy club. Arriving in 2023, Agouzoul played a key role in Auxerre's return to Ligue 1 at the end of the 2023-2024 season, featuring 16 times in Ligue 2 and winning the Coupe de France. League standing: 1st in Ligue 1, 0 pts.
The defender, who turns 29 on August 10, had been loaned twice in two seasons: first to Radomiak Radom in Poland, then to Omonia Nicosie in Cyprus. During his loan in Cyprus, he made eleven league appearances and six in the Conference League, but a toe fracture kept him sidelined for the second half of the season.
A journey defined by the Ligue 2 title
Agouzoul joined AJ Auxerre from Sochaux in the summer of 2023. His time at Auxerre will be remembered for the 2024 Ligue 2 title, securing the club's return to France's top flight. Despite limited game time with just 16 league appearances that season, he contributed to the team's defensive solidity.
The defender also featured in Auxerre's Coupe de France triumph that year. That trophy, added to the Ligue 2 title, defined his spell at Auxerre, even if his playing time was curtailed by successive loans.
A return to Sochaux after tough loan spells
Agouzoul is heading back to Sochaux, the club that developed him before his move to Auxerre. His two loans - first in Poland, then Cyprus - failed to reignite his career. In Cyprus, a toe injury kept him out for months, further limiting his impact.
His departure closes a three-year chapter at Auxerre, but also opens a new one as the club gears up for the 2026-2027 Ligue 1 season with a reshaped squad.
What's next for AJ Auxerre?
With Agouzoul's exit, Auxerre must rebuild their centre-back options. The club, currently 1st in Ligue 1, 0 pts., is preparing for the rest of their Ligue 1 campaign after a busy summer transfer window. Club bosses will need to find a worthy replacement for an experienced defender.
The 2026-2027 season looms large, with a packed schedule and clear ambitions. Fans are already waiting for the next signings to strengthen a squad that showed encouraging signs in recent months.
