Following Montpellier’s relegation to Ligue 2, the club continues its rebuilding with Modibo Sagnan’s departure to Turkish side Çaykur Rizespor, signing a contract of three to four years.
The 26-year-old central defender, who joined Montpellier from Utrecht in January 2024, spent only a season and a half at the club. The €2 million transfer fee provides Montpellier with valuable financial relief amid the economic constraints of second-division football.
Sagnan commits to Rizespor, a Turkish Süper Lig club that finished ninth last season, attracted by their sporting project. This move comes after a series of departures from Montpellier, including Issiaga Sylla and Benjamin Lecomte. Despite interest from English and Italian clubs, Sagnan opted for the Turkish offer[1][2][5].
This transfer fits Montpellier’s strategy to reduce wages and reshape the squad for Ligue 2 competitiveness. Sagnan, who played 27 Ligue 1 matches in 2024-2025 and performed well, seeks a new challenge after a difficult period following the club’s relegation[3][5].
Montpellier aims at a complete squad overhaul, while Sagnan looks forward to revitalizing his career in a competitive league where Rizespor intends to strengthen its defense for higher ambitions.
