The Academy, a Centre of Excellence Since 1977
Training has become a key pillar of the club’s success ever since François Pinault purchased the club in 1998. Around 80 people are working every day to support and develop our young Academy players, whether this is in the scouting department, with the Pro2 team, schooling or accommodation for members of the ETP Odorico. There are 25 educators enlisted for the academic division.
Voted the best French training centre by the French Football Federation during the 2022-2023 season, the Academy once again gained this title during the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 seasons, ahead of Lyon and Paris. In 2024, the Academy had the great pride and pleasure of having an excellent success rate in the Baccalauréat: 100%. 19 candidates received a score of 19/20. This high standard and level of support is what has enabled Stade Rennais F.C. to be the club with the most players they trained themselves to have grown and evolved in the Ligue 1 McDonald’s in the 21st century: 83 players.
Victors in the Coupe Gambardella in 1973, 2003 and 2008, Stade Rennais F.C. also won the prestigious Montaigu U-17 international tournament seven times and the Ploufragan Trophy for training centres four times.
From the route de Lorient to the most hallowed ground
Over the last thirty years, Academy players have been joining the biggest clubs, breaking records for youth and performance and continuing to shine in the greatest leagues in world football, having made their sensational debuts in Rennes. They are the pride of our club.
They include Sylvain Wiltord, Ousmane Dabo, Mikaël Silvestre, Anthony Réveillère, Étienne Didot, Moussa Sow, Jimmy Briand, Stéphane Mbia, Romain Danzé, Yoann Gourcuff, Yacine Brahimi, Yann M'Vila, Abdoulaye Doucouré, Tiémoué Bakayoko, Ousmane Dembélé, Eduardo Camavinga, Lesley Ugochukwu, Désiré Doué and many more stars. With Ousmane Dembélé at the forefront, crowned the best player in the world in 2025 at the Ballon d’Or ceremony.
