Football Season Guide

Ligue 2

France

Ligue 2

2016/2017

Clermont Foot

In

Thomas Guerbert (mid) from FC Sochaux-Montbeliard; Joseph Lopy (mid) from US Boulogne; Thomas Fontaine (def) from AJ Auxerre; Alexis Busin (mid) on loan from FC Nancy-Lorraine; Mamadou Thiam (att) from Dijon FCO

Out

Famara Diedhiou (k) (att) to Angers SCO; Cedric Bockhorni (sp) (def) - released; Adrien Hunou (sp) (mid) to Stade Rennais FC - loan ended; Gaetan Laborde (r) (att) to Girondins de Bordeaux - loan ended.

Clermont begin their third season under Corinne Diacre, with the first female coach in the French professional game having followed up a 12th-place finish in her first campaign with a seventh place in 2015-16. However, much of the Auvergne club's relative success last season was down to the goals of Famara Diedhiou. The Senegal international was the leading scorer in Ligue 2 last season with 21 goals and Clermont quickly moved to make his loan move from FC Sochaux-Montbeliard into a permanent transfer. However, they were aware that keeping hold of Diedhiou would not be easy and he has duly been sold on to Ligue 1 side Angers. Nevertheless, Diacre has made some interesting signings to bolster her squad in the shape of Thomas Fontaine, Joseph Lopy and Thomas Guerbert, while Alexis Busin will be eager to impress on loan from FC Nancy-Lorraine.

Target

Another top-half finish would be a success.