Junior Ake had a particularly successful 2024/2025 season. Promoted four times in National 3, this technical defender played an active role in the Gambardella Cup victory, playing every minute of the opening match in Saint-Brieuc and the final against Dijon. His performances earned him a place in the French U18 team, where he played six times under Landry Chauvin. Capable of playing as a left-back or full-back, the Nogent-sur-Marne native has since established himself as a regular in Sébastien Tambouret's Espoirs Rouge et Noir team, making numerous appearances in National 3 and the Challenge Espoirs.
Called up to the French U18 and U19 teams
Against Paris Saint-Germain on February 13, this player, who grew up in the Île-de-France region, from Grigny to Sarcelles via Villiers-le-Bel, made his first appearance in the professional squad. The victory gave him a warm moment of sharing with the Rouge et Noir fans. Now a French U19 international, in Brittany since the age of 15, Junior Ake is continuing his adventure with Stade Rennais F.C. by signing his first professional contract. Congratulations, Junior!
Junior Ake :
« This is a moment I have been waiting for for a long time, and I am very proud to sign with the club that trained me. I have worked very hard over the past four years to achieve this goal. Last year was very busy and allowed me to progress quickly and take some important steps forward. The joyful moment with the fans after the victory against Paris makes me want to return to Roazhon Park as soon as possible and take my first steps on the pitch. I hope that will be soon.»
Denis Arnaud, Director of the Academy :
« This signing is a logical step in Junior's development. He arrived as a shy player and, four years later, has become a true defender with plenty of room for improvement. Junior is aggressive, he likes to compete, he's a competitor. He likes to defend and he's good at it. On the offensive side, there is room for improvement, which he is working on with the confidence we have in him.
We are happy that he can continue his journey with us. He has great qualities, but he needs to develop others, such as leadership, which we expect from him in terms of communication on and off the field.
He is part of the generation that won the Gambardella Cup, an adventure that gave him confidence and other positive things. In that competition, he confirmed his strong first six months in the league.
If the club has placed its trust in him with a professional contract, it is because he has the ability to join the first team at some point. It will be up to him to take the few remaining steps, which are important ones. He has all the physical, technical, and mental support he needs to succeed.»
