Originally from Hilversum, some 30km east of Amsterdam, Azor Matusiwa joined Ajax Amsterdam at the age of 15. Having played just one match for the first team, he spent half a season at VBV De Graafschap in search of playing time before signing a four-year contract with FC Groningen. Scrutinised by a number of observers, including those at Stade de Reims, he left his homeland and joined the Champagne region in the summer of 2021.
Azor quickly became indispensable to his new team, demonstrating his fighting qualities in his first match on 12 September 2021, with a 2-0 victory over Stade Rennais F.C. at Roazhon Park. The months that followed only served to confirm his great potential, with Reims fans discovering a complete midfielder who was rugged and generous with his efforts, and who also had the ability to organise his team's play, becoming a key part of Will Still's set-up. If he has conquered Stade de Reims, it is also because of his personality and his well-known joviality, making him a much-appreciated dressing room mate.
Welcome Azor !
Azor Matusiwa :
« I'm very proud to be joining Stade Rennais, I'm coming to a top club. I'm going to give my all for the team and help the club climb back up the table. I've given it a lot of thought, because it's not easy to leave a team in the middle of the season. I can only see the positives, and Stade Rennais have a lot of ambitions. I can't wait to discover the atmosphere at Roazhon Park in my new shirt. Every player wants to progress and I think Stade Rennais is the perfect club to help me grow. I'm arriving the day after a great match for the team and I'm very happy. I'm a player who always gives everything, who thinks of the team first. »
Olivier Cloarec, Executive Chair and Managing Director :
« We were looking for a high-potential player with significant experience. Good opportunities are rarer during the winter transfer window, and even rarer when we're targeting key players at their clubs. It's always proof of the attractiveness of Rennes' sporting project and its ambitions. At the age of 25, Azor Matusiwa has played 75 games in Ligue 1 and his arrival will enable us to increase the density of our midfield. He's an intelligent, engaging and committed player who should integrate quickly into our team. I'm particularly pleased that he's joining us this winter and that he'll be making a long-term commitment. »
Florian Maurice, Technical Director :
« The winter market is difficult but there can be good opportunities and Azor is one of them. He has demonstrated all his qualities with Reims since his arrival. He fulfils many of the criteria that match SRFC's style of play: a high level of activity, excellent technical ability and tactical intelligence. What's more, he has a very strong team spirit, which fits in perfectly with what we're looking for today. With the Coupe de France, the league and Europe, we have a busy schedule ahead of us. His arrival allows us to strengthen our midfield with the aim of achieving a fine second half of the season. »
