Since signing for Lens in 2022, Brice Samba has established himself as a benchmark in Ligue 1. The keeper has been a key figure in Lens' defence, with his superb goalkeeping, unflappable finishing and decisive penalty-taking.
Born in Linzolo in the Congo and the son of Brice, a former international goalkeeper with 100 caps to his name, Brice Samba began his football career in Normandy. Standing 87 metres tall, he made his professional debut at Le Havre before moving on to Caen and then OM. An understudy at the time, it was on his return to Caen that he made his mark in Ligue 1, succeeding Rémy Vercoutre in the Malherbe goal. Although Brice Samba put in some fine performances, he was unable to prevent his team's relegation and left for England in 2019.
It's rewarding to be joining Stade Rennais F.C.
His progress in the Championship was linear, and no Nottingham Forest fan could forget the three penalties he deflected against Sheffield in the play-offs. Regular and strong, he caught the eye of Lens and joined the Artois club in 2022. His arrival coincided with some very good results for the Nordic outfit, who finished second and were able to rely on a defence that was hard to break down. With the Bollaert outfit, the goalkeeper became a fixture in Ligue 1 and discovered the joys of selection for Les Bleus. The keeper, a centurion of the league, has opted to join Rennes, initialling a contract that runs until 2029. Stade Rennais F.C. are delighted to have signed one of Europe's finest goalkeepers, a benchmark in his position. Welcome Brice !
Arnaud Pouille, Executive Chair and Managing Director :
« Stade Rennais F.C. is proud to welcome Brice. As well as the player himself and his international status, his performance- and win-oriented mindset is an additional asset for the club. His natural leadership, experience and talent will help us develop our ambitions. Players, staff and employees alike are delighted to see Brice join the Rouge et Noir. »
Frederic Massara, Sporting Director :
« It's a source of pride for the club to sign one of the goalkeepers of the French national team, a very strong keeper who will bring all his experience and mastery to help us write important pages. He's a player who should become a pillar of this team, bringing his maturity, his personality and all his qualities. »
Brice Samba :
« It's a great feeling because I wanted to join Stade Rennais F.C. I'm relieved to have arrived to meet my new team-mates and start training. I'm joining a strong, stable, recognised club. The Breton people are proud and strong, and it's gratifying to arrive at Rennes. I played regularly against SRFC when I was young and I often came to Roazhon Park in Ligue 1. I've had some very complicated games there (smiles) and I can't wait to get to know the fans. I want to be as decisive as possible, that's what got me into the French national team and I hope to continue in that vein. It's also a great pleasure to see Seko again, we've been talking a lot recently. I'm obviously looking forward to renewing our bond, it's been our strength in the past and to be able to repeat what we've been able to do would be extraordinary. »
Brice Samba
Age 30
Born on 25 April 1994 in Linzolo (Congo)
Goalkeeper
1m87
Left-footed
Trained at Pacy Vallée d'Eure, ALM Évreux and Le Havre AC
French international: 3 caps
Professional career :
Le Havre AC, from 2012 to 2013 - 2 matches
Olympique de Marseille, from 2013 to 2017 - 4 matches
AS Nancy-Lorraine, from 2015 to 2016 - 6 matches
Stade Malherbe de Caen, from 2017 to 2019 - 49 matches
Nottigham Forrest, from 2019 to 2022 - 133 matches
RC Lens, from 2022 to 2025 - 96 matches
Honours and awards:
Ligue 2 champion with Nancy (2016)
French Ligue 1 runner-up with Lens (2023)
Best goalkeeper and member of the model team for the 2022-2023 Ligue 1 season at the UNFP trophies
10th in the Lev Yachine Trophy (2023)
