The next stage in Anthony Rouault's upward career took him to Brittany, to Stade Rennais F.C. Trained in Toulouse after starting out at Saint-Colomb-de-Lauzun, the central defender made his Ligue 2 debut with the Violets. Skilled with his feet, the defender is also precise with his head. After two seasons in Ligue 2 and a nomination for the league's Team of the Year at the UNFP trophies, the Lot-et-Garonne native is ready for Ligue 1, with the title of 2022 champion under his belt. Although no man is a prophet in his own country, Anthony Rouault has established himself as a Stadium darling. When the Téfécé won the French Cup by sweeping aside Nantes in 2023 (1-5), the defender came on as a substitute and within a few months he was collecting trophies and memories.
The Bundesliga, which regularly has its eye on the French championship, is not insensitive to his performances. In the summer of 2023, Anthony Rouault made the big move to VfB Stuttgart. A consistent performer in the same vein as he had been in Ligue 1, the Frenchman established himself in a winning team, and celebrated his debut overseas with a second-place finish. This season, his team took part in the Champions League, and the former Toulouse man played in 7 matches, including starts against Juventus, Real Madrid and Atalanta Bergamo. A regular at Toulouse and then Stuttgart, the defender chose to return to France. He is now a member of the Rouge et Noir, a new and important addition to the Breton squad.
Welcome Anthony !
Arnaud Pouille, Executive Chair and Managing Director Stade Rennais F.C. :
« Anthony is a French-trained player who knows Ligue 1 and its environment. He had a fantastic adventure with Stuttgart, which led to them finishing runners-up in the German championship and qualifying for the Champions League. If he's with us today, it's because he's expressed a desire to take part in the Rennes project, with a club he's always followed closely. He wanted to come back and he has embraced what SRFC has to offer in sporting terms. Attracting a talent who is playing in the Champions League can only be a great joy for the club, it means a lot. He's a great lad with whom we have fluid exchanges. I wish him a wonderful adventure at Stade Rennais. »
Frederic Massara, Sporting Director of Stade Rennais F.C. :
« We're delighted that Anthony is joining us because he's a player with great defensive qualities, thanks to his speed, aggression and ability to get back into the game. Despite his young age, he already has a wealth of top-level experience after his successful stint in the Bundesliga, as well as in the Champions League, in which he played 7 games this season. He's already familiar with the French league, which is no mean advantage. We're counting on his desire to give the team a new lease of life. »
Anthony Rouault :
« I'm very happy to be joining Stade Rennais. Naturally, as a keen follower of Ligue 1, I know the club well, having also played against it with Toulouse. I enjoyed my time at Stuttgart, and Rennes gives me the chance to take on a new challenge with a club that has a long history in the French league. I'm really pleased to be here, and I hope we can do some great things. I'll soon be a Breton, and I'll be eating galettes saucisses, I promise (laughs).. »
Anthony Rouault
23 years old
29 May 2001
Defender
1m86
Right-footed
Trained at Toulouse FC
Professional career :
Toulouse FC from 2020 to 2023, 86 matches
VfB Stuttgart from 2023 to 2025, 52 matches
Honours and awards :
Member of the Ligue 2 Team of the Year 2021-2022 at the UNFP trophies
French Ligue 2 champion with Toulouse (2022)
French Cup winner (2023)
