Al-Duhail Signs Rennes Star Benjamin Bourigeaud

Qatari champions Al-Duhail have signed French midfielder Benjamin Bourigeaud from Rennes, the French club announced on Friday.

Rennes stated: “The clubs have reached an agreement for the transfer of the 30-year-old midfielder,” describing Bourigeaud as a “legend of the red and black.”

Bourigeaud joined Rennes in 2017 from Lens and quickly became a key figure in midfield under various coaches, including Sabri Lamouchi, Julien Stéphan, and Bruno Génésio. He scored 66 goals and provided 63 assists in 311 matches, contributing to Rennes’ 2019 French Cup victory against Paris Saint-Germain and leading the team to six consecutive European qualifications, a streak that ended this season.

Bourigeaud had a challenging final season, similar to the club, due to personal issues, which led coach Stéphan to strip him of the captaincy upon his return to the club, handing it over to Steve Mandanda.

Al-Duhail also confirmed the signing in a statement, saying: “The club’s management continued to strengthen the first football team with the successful acquisition of French midfielder Benjamin Bourigeaud from Rennes.”