Throughout his career, ever since his formative years as a young player at Slovak side MFK Košice, Matić has constantly performed at the highest level of European football. Following spells at Chelsea, Benfica, Manchester United and AS Roma, the complete midfielder has now decided to join Ligue 1 Uber Eats after being convinced of Rennes’s ambition. Having taken home Portugal’s Primeira Liga title and been a three-time Premier League winner with Chelsea (not to mention finishing in the PFA Team of the Year in 2015), as well as reaching the UEFA Europa League final on three occasions, the now ex-Roma player once again showed incredible consistency at the top level in Italy last season under José Mourinho, a coach that he has worked with at three different clubs.
Now aged 35 and standing at 1m94 tall, Matić arrives in Brittany with an exceptional level of experience, which he will be able to bring to the Rouge et Noir dressing room over the course of the new season.
Degemer mat, Nemanja!
Olivier Cloarec, Executive President and CEO:
“A world-class player has joined us. This arrival confirms the appeal of Stade Rennais F.C. and its ambition.
“Nemanja is a midfielder who has set the benchmark for players in his position. With nearly 600 appearances at the highest level, his extraordinary amount of European experience will have repercussions throughout the club and particularly for our young players.
“We’re hugely excited to see him step onto the pitch at Roazhon Park.”
Florian Maurice, Technical Director:
“I’m really happy to be welcoming Nemanja into our squad. His profile is what we were looking for in terms of supporting the team’s development. He’s played for some of the biggest clubs in Europe, and his level of experience is incredible.
"Nemanja is a complete, intelligent midfielder who is gifted with a strong tactical understanding and is capable of dictating the tempo and the rhythm of a game. As a tall player, he’ll also be important in the air. Much like Steve Mandanda, he’s a humble but ambitious person who will be able to say the right things to our young players.
“We’ve been talking to him for more than a month now, and he knows about the club thanks to its visibility on the European stage and its performances in Ligue 1. His arrival also confirms the appeal of Stade Rennais F.C. on the international stage.”
