Arrived in the summer of 2017 from Lens, his training club, the Ch'ti Benjamin Bourigeaud has gradually gained in stature, also in line with the progress of the Rouge et Noir: Coupe de France and round of 16 of Europa League in 2019, Champions League in 2020. Last year, the 28-year-old midfielder was one of the guardians of Rennes' beautiful game and his touch wreaked havoc on corners and free kicks.
With statistics to match his commitment to the field: 12 goals and 16 assists, in all competitions.
At the end of the season, the press was buzzing with the names of potentially interested clubs and Bourigeaud, under contract until 2023, said he was torn between the desire for an adventure abroad and that of carrying Rennes' ambitions a little further. .
The reality of the transfer window decided for him: the proposals that actually reached him did not interest him, and the club did not receive any offers.
So he went all out on the 2nd choice.
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"
Inevitably, there was a little frustration, but today I am very happy to continue the adventure
," he assured the press on Friday, after having extended his Rennes contract until 2026. "
I also wanted to continue writing history with this club.
It was also a desire to project myself a little more here
, ”he explained.
“
I stay at a club that I love and where I am loved
".
For Stade Rennais, it is a great satisfaction to keep this major asset, even if the club had to review its objectives in this sector during the transfer window.
Coach Bruno Genesio had publicly set as a priority the arrival of an impact midfielder, capable of responding to the physical challenge that the Rennais were not always able to meet in midfield last year.
Finally, the opportunities came in attack, with the arrivals of Arnaud Kalimuendo and Amine Gouiri who will push Genesio to change the system.
And to rely in midfield on his more technical than physical profiles, like Bourigeaud or the Croatian Lovro Majer.
I am a diesel player, it takes time for the engine to warm up.
Benjamin Bourigeaud
It is still necessary that the Breton Ch'ti finds its level of last year.
He remained rather transparent at the start of the season, even if it is rather a habit for him.
“
This somewhat sluggish start is not necessarily due to frustration, I have already swallowed
it,” he assured.
"
But I'm a diesel player, it takes time for the engine to warm up.
It's starting to heat up and I hope it will be boiling very quickly
".
It will be time.
After a failed start, the Rennais got back in working order against Brest (3-1), but if they want to live up to the ambitions displayed they must not tremble in Troyes on Sunday then in Larnaca on Thursday, for their return to the Europa League.
For Bourigeaud, there is also a little extra incentive since he received his first pre-selection for the France team in June.
Even if the places are expensive, he who has only had one selection for the France U20 team remains hopeful for the next few years.
But he knows that everything will depend on his work in Rennes: “
We will have to do better to hope for better.
We will fight to have the best possible season
”.