RC Lens and FC Metz kick off French preseason friendlies

RC Lens opened its summer preparation with a closed‑door friendly against Ligue 2 side US Boulogne‑sur‑Mer at the Gaillette Gervais‑Martel stadium. The match ended 1‑1 after Florian Thauvin, the club’s new captain, scored in the 19th minute and Martin Lécolier equalised shortly after. Lens fielded a mixed line‑up that included Koffi, Kemtchoum Stasiowski, Baidoo, Udol and other recent signings, while the club confirmed that midfielder Jeremy Agbonifo will be loaned to Jagiellonia Białystok in Poland with an option to buy for €3 million.

On the same day, FC Metz hosted Belgian partner RFC Seraing at its Frescaty training centre for their fifth pre‑season match. The fixture was streamed live, and Metz unveiled its new 2026‑27 home kit before the game. Coach Yannick Kakoko, the new assistant, took charge of the squad, which featured returning players Jessy Deminguet and Hamza Kadamani, along with recent signing Florian Miguel. Several regulars, including Maxime Colin and Habib Diallo, were absent from the roster.