Official statement Pros Wednesday 01 Jul 2026 à 17h25

Sohaib Naïr, Les Verts' first signing!

Sohaib Naïr, a 24-year-old center back, is transferred to AS Saint-Étienne from Guingamp. He becomes the first signing of Ian Cathro’s Greens during the summer transfer window.

Sohaib Naïr is joining Les Verts ! Born in Saint-Denis, the Parisian first played for Cosmos Saint-Denis, Red Star, and Jeunesse Aubervilliers before joining FC Montfermeil, a partner club of AS Saint-Étienne. A mature and already established player, young Sohaib needed just one season playing for the U17 team in Régional 1 to attract the attention of professional clubs.

After being approached by several clubs, Sohaib Naïr finally signed with Toulouse FC in 2019. He then joined the Violets’ youth academy and quickly made his way into the ranks just below the professional level, participating in a few training sessions with the pro squad and playing in National 3. Just as he was about to sign his first professional contract, he ultimately joined Guingamp in 2022.

Sohaib Naïr embarked on this new adventure in Brittany with a desire for redemption. Initially playing in National 2 with the reserve team, where he quickly took over as captain, the defender trained with the first team and has taken his game to a whole new level in just a few months.

Since his Ligue 2 BKT debut in August 2024 against Laval, Sohaib Naïr has played in 46 league matches. The center back has also earned his first two call-ups to the Algerian national team: the first in 2025 and the second, more recently, during the international break last March.

At 24 years old and a familiar face to Ligue 2 BKT fans, Sohaib Naïr becomes the first summer signing for Ian Cathro’s Verts. He will wear the number 18 for AS Saint-Étienne, with whom he has signed a contract through 2030. Welcome to the Forez, Sohaib!

Sohaib Naïr: "AS Saint-Étienne is a legendary club, and I'm very proud to be joining. I've never had the chance to play at Geoffroy-Guichard, so I'm now looking forward to experiencing that stadium and the 'Peuple Vert' as a member of the Saint-Étienne team, surrounded by new teammates whom I can't wait to meet."

Loïc Perrin, Sporting Director of AS Saint-Étienne: "Sohaib is a player the club has been monitoring for several months. He’s an interesting prospect because he knows Ligue 2 BKT, but also because of his personality, which will help us build team chemistry. He’s faced challenges in his career, and that’s something we appreciate, because players like him develop a unique strength of character. I hope he settles in well so he can perform at his best and help us achieve our goals."

Sohaib Naïr's "Vert l'Avenir" commitment

As part of its "Vert l'Avenir" CSR initiative, AS Saint-Étienne invites each of its employees—including its players—to get involved in one of the four areas of focus of its ASSE Cœur-Vert association: Environment, Civic Engagement, Sports for All, and Health.

Sohaib Naïr will be focusing on actions related to health.