With the 2023-2024 season now over, it’s time to look forward to the season ahead by introducing 11 new players who will join our squad over the summer.
This Thursday morning, Sébastien Piqueronies announced their signings for next season, along with Bernard Pontneau and Pierre Lahore. The section recruits 11 players and loans one to Agen. The recruitment adds the loan return of Jimi Maximin, who played in PRO D2 in Rouen (played 15 games). Several players from the training center have been integrated into professional teams, not forgetting internal promotions as well. Find out more about past recruitments below with statements from the players and comments from manager Sébastien Piqueronies.
“We were able to build and anticipate our recruitment early in the season and, unlike previous seasons, we didn’t have any end-of-season moves. Players decided to join us early on, which is a strong indicator of our progress. The 24-25 Hour Workforce is built on two pillars: unifying a culture of success and densifying the workforce more consistently. We’ve also been able to retain and expand on the best elements, and we’re very proud of that. Achieving our ambitious goal of finishing in the top six means tougher forward play and a more dense forward squad to which we have invested a lot of resources. »Introducing the manager of Vert et Blanc.
Daniel BIBI-BIZIWU, 22 years old, pillar
1,83 m – 119 kg
Engagement period: 2027
Previous club: Clermont (2020-2024)
Daniel Bibijiu: “Sebastien gave me a lot of confidence. In the section we see young players who are part of a fully professional group and playing in the top 14 every weekend. I think this project is right for me. It seems like a group with great chemistry and spirit. »
Sebastien Piccheroni: “I know Daniel very well from my previous job. It densifies the left side of the scrum and has a very evolving profile. He is a player who knew the French national team’s 42-member group at a very young age. He came to the sectional environment to take a step forward. »
Lekso KAULASHVILI, 31 ans, Philier
1,86 m – 128 kg
Engagement period: 2027
Previous clubs: Bordeaux-Begles (2018-2024), La Rochelle (2013-2018)
Lexo Kaulashvili: “Being with a new club and a new team is a new adventure for me. I love this project, the team is growing quickly and I want to help the club rise to greater heights. »
Sebastien Piccheroni: “Rexo can play on the right or left. He will bring a lot of experience to us as he plays for a top club that is used to qualifying. It’s international and JIFF. He will be responsible for both sides of the scrum. »
Jon ZABALA ARRIETA, 27, Philadelphia.
1,90m – 132kg
Engagement period: 2027
Previous clubs: Béziers (2021-2024), Tarbes (2020-2021), Anglés (2019-2020), Bayonne (2016-2019)
John Zavala-Arrieta: “The Section is a legendary club with character and charisma. I really like the mentality of the club representing this region. This club is close to my home country, Spain. I really like the dynamics, speed and combat of section games. »
Sebastien Piccheroni: “Some people would say it’s a gamble. We chose Jon, a talented pillar of PRO D2. He has done a lot for Beziers and is having a big season. He also has an evolving profile, he is reaching maturity as a pillar and should have brilliant years with us. »
Thomas JOLMES, 28, 2 years oldE Renew
2,03m – 112kg
Previous clubs: Bordeaux-Begles (2024-2021), Toulon (2020-2021), La Rochelle (2017-2020), Grenoble (2015-2017)
Engagement period: 2026 + 1
Thomas Jolmes: “I joined Section because I like their style of play and the way the players keep the ball. Also because there is a high-quality touch livery. The club is dynamic and shows work values that suit me. »
Sebastien Piccheroni: “Thomas also knows the France national team’s 42-man group and he has two options for two big performances in Japan. He is looking for playing time and we are very excited to have him on board to help him succeed in the challenge of taking him to the top level again so he can become a very important player in our section of Profile 4.”
Rémi PICQUETTE, 29 years old, 2 years oldE Renew
2,00m – 114kg
Previous clubs: La Rochelle (2021-2024), Van (2017-2021), La Rochelle (2015-2016)
Engagement period: 2028
Remy Pickett: “The club’s project is very exciting in an area that looks very good. The team presents the image of a very tight-knit group of good people. I am very much looking forward to discovering the collective! »
Sebastien Piccheroni: “Rémi is here to grow and deliver on our ambitions to take us a step further in the difficult position we are in to densify our second line. He arrived with two European champion titles, experience of the game at the highest level and decisive matches in the final stages. »
Loïc CREDOZ, 25 years old, 3 years oldE Renew
1,88 m – 107 kg
Previous club: Oyonnax (2019-2024)
Engagement period: 2026
Loic Credos: “Through the section project I wanted to join the club and Sébastien and the staff gave me a lot of confidence. The Section is a historic French rugby club with a lot of value and a great opportunity to break into the top 14. The club is growing and I want to be part of the team that can help the club grow even further. The game made is attractive, full of intensity and racing, the communication between the team is very good, there are a lot of things I like about it. »
Sebastien Piccheroni: “Roik has a strong leadership profile and is a very complete third-line player who can play 6-7-8. This will homogenize and densify the third line, which is already the shining lung of our game project. Qualifying means we will have one of the best third lines in the TOP 14.”
Joel KPOKU, 24, 3 years oldE-2E Renew
1,98 m – 110 kg
Previous clubs: Lyon (2021-2024), Saracens (2018-2021)
Engagement period: 2027
Joel Kopoku: “The project that Sébastien presented to me gave me confidence. The team has ambitions and I want to help them achieve those ambitions. I like the fight and mentality the group shows in their matches. This is a young team that I really want to contribute to. »
Sebastien Piccheroni: “Joel has a 7-4 profile and I saw him often with the England U20s. He has featured heavily in Lyon’s third row in the squad where he has established himself. He is a French speaking boy, very lovely in my eyes and an excellent rugby player. Densify rotation 3.E-2E It will bring line and leadership to the sidelines. »
Olivier KLEMENCZAK, 28, center
1,84m – 90kg
Previous clubs: Racing 92 (2018-2024), Dax (2014-2018)
Engagement period: 2026
Olivier Klementzak: “I found an area I knew well and had a real passion for rugby. The club and the region have a strong identity, and that speaks to me. I wanted to experience a club like this in my career. I really like the style of play and it is the style I want to aim for when playing rugby. Results are progressing and promise great things for the future! »
Sebastien Piccheroni: “Olivier is a talented youngster who can play both centrally and on the wing and has already experienced the French national team’s 42-man group. He comes from a club that is used to qualifying every year, and is used to playing in the final stages. He arrived with great intentions to help us step up and grow the section’s projects. »
Aymeric LUC, 26 years old, rear view
1,80m – 79kg
Previous clubs: Toulon (2021-2024), Bayonne (2018-2021)
Engagement period: 2026 + 1
Aymeric Luke: “The section is a full-fledged team. Like any club project, it evolves every year. For me, it was very exciting to be able to commit to this type of project for the long term. What I like about the section is that they are one of the TOP 14 teams that make the most plays. The team relies on young players who have already proven themselves and promise a great future, as well as more experienced players who bring in the frame. . I think everything points to a bright future for the club! »
Sebastien Piccheroni: “Aymeric had the courage to leave his club to join our team and he also knew the France national team’s 42-man group. He will occupy the positions 15 and 11. I am very excited to have a denser plan with the arrival of Aymeric. His profile fits perfectly into the game of the section. »
Aaron GRANDIDIER-NKANANG, 24 years old, winger
1,87 m – 93 kg
Previous club: Brave (2019-2024)
Engagement period: 2026
Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang: “Section is a team that makes a lot of plays, and that’s the winger I’m looking for. The club is ambitious and has great projects that I would really like to be involved with. I am very excited to join this club! »
Sebastien Piccheroni: “I have known Aaron for a long time and France 7 has honored him. He is a player we consider to be a pure 15-year-old in a winger position. He has tremendous qualities in speed and aerial duels. I am very excited that he will strengthen our team thanks to his ultra-fast profile and we hope to become Olympic champions! »
Recruiting and loaning players
Hayam El Bibouzi, 22, prostitute
1n83 – 100kg
Previous club: Suresnes (2020-2024)
Engagement period: 2027 (including 24-25 loans)
Hayam El Bibouzi: “We are very excited to be joining the section on a one-year lease of the PRO D2 from Agen. Playing in the top 14 was my childhood dream. Loans are very exciting because you will continue to gain experience and arrive next year more prepared. In Suresnes too, the project is youth-based and brings a lot of enthusiasm and I recognize myself in that regard. »
Sebastien Piccheroni: “This form of selection and integration is our hallmark. Hayam is a very explosive hooker and he has a profile that can develop very quickly, so we would like to loan him to PRO D2 for a season. He will join us next season. He is explosive, a very good pitcher, a very good ball carrier, very young and has already played a lot of games for the Nationals and has captained the team on several occasions. »
Recruitment is currently open until June 30th.
