# Saint‑Étienne rebuild aims for promotion amid increased |$|1 > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/sainttienne-clinches-promotion-playoff-berth-after-dramatic-penalty-shootout-against-roderodez > Updated: 2026-08-08T04:23:13.000Z. Sources: 149. Developments: 17. AS Saint-Étienne entered the 2026-27 Ligue 2 campaign under Ian Cathro with a squad managing several injuries, including Lamba (ankle), Jaber (adductors), El Jamali (knee), Ben Old (ankle), and Eymard (tibia). Amidst this, approximately 800 supporters secured visitor parking at Sochaux ahead of the opening match. Julien Le Cardinal has been named captain as the club pursues its sole objective: promotion to Ligue 1. While the club initially recorded a €7.85 million summer transfer outlay—representing roughly 35% of total Ligue 2 spending—and a €7.6 million negative balance, Kilmer Sports Ventures is prepared to increase the investment to over €10 million. This expanded budget aims to create a financial advantage over Ligue 2 rivals. The recruitment strategy has shifted toward more mature players, targeting an average age of approximately 24 years to ensure immediate impact. Data analysis has identified players such as Jakob Breum and Tamar Svetlin as high-compatibility targets. The club is prioritizing the acquisition of a left-back and a striker, especially as the potential departure of Lucas Stassin looms. Other possible departures include Zuriko Davitashvili, Mickaël Nadé, and Ebenezer Annan. Cathro has identified a core group of six starters: Maxime Bernauer, Julien Le Cardinal, Kévin Pedro, João Ferreira, goalkeeper Joshua Duffus, and newcomer Gautier Larsonneur. The club also continues to integrate academy prospects, specifically 19-year-old Adam Baallal and 17-year-old Nathan Kasia. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-08: AS Saint-Étienne to invest over €10M in summer transfer window AS Saint-Étienne and Kilmer Sports are increasing their transfer investment to over €10 million, targeting more mature players with an average age of 24 to strengthen the squad for Ligue 2. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/as-saint-tienne-to-invest-over-10m-in-summer-transfer-window ### 2026-08-04: AS Saint-Étienne targets Ligue 2 promotion with new captain and record spending AS Saint-Étienne, led by captain Julien Le Cardinal, aims for Ligue 1 promotion after a €7.85 m summer spend and a core six identified by coach Ian Cathro. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/red-star-and-sainttienne-finalize-ligue-2-preparations-ahead-of-season-start ### 2026-08-03: AS Saint-Étienne coach Ian Cathro pledges ambition for Sochaux opener, names two young prospects Coach Ian Cathro says AS Saint‑Étienne will head to Sochaux with a winning mindset after a 4‑3 pre‑season win, and highlights prospects Adam Baallal and Nathan Kasia. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/as-saint-tienne-coach-ian-cathro-pledges-ambition-for-sochaux-opener-names-two-young-prospects ### 2026-08-02: AS Saint-Étienne hit by injuries before Ligue 2 opener at FC Sochaux ASSE begins Ligue 2 against FC Sochaux with 800 fans traveling, but coach Ian Cathro must cope with injuries to Lamba, Jaber, El Jamali, Ben Old and Eymard. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/as-saint-tienne-hit-by-injuries-before-ligue-2-opener-at-fc-sochaux ### 2026-07-22: AS Saint‑Étienne prepares for summer exits of Lucas Stassin and Zuriko Davitashvili AS Saint‑Étienne is likely to sell Lucas Stassin and Zuriko Davitashvili this summer, with coach Ian Cathro leaving them out of a Glasgow friendly, signaling pending transfers. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/as-sainttienne-prepares-for-summer-exits-of-lucas-stassin-and-zuriko-davitashvili ### 2026-07-15: AS Saint-Étienne's Zuriko Davitashvili transfer saga and FC Nantes sign US defender Moira Kelley Zuriko Davitashvili's possible move from AS Saint‑Étienne faces a €20 million asking price after an Olympiakos offer, while FC Nantes Féminines sign US defender Moira Kelley on a contract to 2028. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/as-saint-tiennes-zuriko-davitashvili-transfer-saga-and-fc-nantes-sign-us-defender-moira-kelley ### 2026-07-14: AS Saint‑Étienne blocks Davitashvili move as Atalanta and Besiktas walk away AS Saint‑Étienne rejected Atalanta’s €12 m offer for Zuriko Davitashvili, demanding €20 m, prompting Atalanta and Besiktas to drop their interest. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/as-sainttienne-blocks-davitashvili-move-as-atalanta-and-besiktas-walk-away ### 2026-07-10: AS Saint‑Étienne sells Zuriko Davitashvili to Atalanta for over €10 million AS Saint‑Étienne is set to sell Georgian winger Zuriko Davitashvili to Atalanta for over €10 million, a deal that could fund the club’s Ligue 2 ambitions and affect Lucas Stassin’s future. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/as-sainttienne-sells-zuriko-davitashvili-to-atalanta-for-over-10-million ### 2026-07-08: AS Saint-Étienne braces for key departures and renewed TV focus in Ligue 2 AS Saint‑Étienne is set to lose top players Zuriko Davitashvili and Lucas Stassin as they move on from Ligue 2, while beIN Sports will keep the club in a prominent TV slot for the new season. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/as-saint-tienne-braces-for-key-departures-and-renewed-tv-focus-in-ligue-2 ### 2026-06-08: Montpellier HSC and Saint‑Étienne overhaul ownership and squads as Ligue 2 clubs rebuild Montpellier HSC may be sold to an English fund with Ilkay Gündogan joining, while Saint‑Étienne prepares for a mass player exodus and rebuild under new coach Ian Cathro. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/montpellier-hsc-and-sainttienne-overhaul-ownership-and-squads-as-ligue-2-clubs-rebuild ### 2026-06-05: AS Saint-Étienne hit by coach uncertainty and failed transfer bid AS Saint‑Étienne remains in Ligue 2 after a play‑off loss, loses transfer target Silas Andersen to Sporting CP, and faces the possible departure of coach Philippe Montanier. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/as-saint-tienne-hit-by-coach-uncertainty-and-failed-transfer-bid ### 2026-05-30: Kail Boudache signs with Olympique Lyon after starring in Nice's Ligue 1 survival 19‑year‑old striker Kail Boudache, who netted the decisive goal in OGC Nice’s 4‑1 victory that kept the club in Ligue 1, will sign a three‑year professional contract with Olympique Lyon, ending his stint at N​i 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kail-boudache-signs-with-olympique-lyon-after-starring-in-nices-ligue-1-survival ### 2026-05-25: St Etienne and Nice clash in Ligue 2 play‑off final for Ligue 1 spot St Étienne hosts Nice in the Ligue 2 play‑off first leg, a promotion tie after both clubs’ season declines, with St Étienne slight favourites and the winner set for Ligue 1. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/st-etienne-and-nice-clash-in-ligue-2-playoff-final-for-ligue-1-spot ### 2026-05-22: Saint-Étienne faces Nice in decisive playoff amid mixed fan confidence Saint-Étienne heads into a decisive playoff versus Nice with only 31.6% of fans fully confident, though the club notes defensive improvements and key players returning. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/saint-tienne-faces-nice-in-decisive-playoff-amid-mixed-fan-confidence ### 2026-05-20: Nice and Saint‑Étienne face closed‑door relegation play‑off as financial review looms Nice and Saint‑Étienne play a closed‑door two‑leg play‑off (26 & 29 May) to decide Ligue 1 survival, while looming DNCG financial reviews could still alter the outcome. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nice-and-sainttienne-face-closeddoor-relegation-playoff-as-financial-review-looms ### 2026-05-17: Saint‑Étienne to face OGC Nice in Ligue 1 promotion playoffs Saint‑Étienne and Nice meet in two‑leg Ligue 1 promotion playoffs on 26‑29 May 2026. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sainttienne-to-face-ogc-nice-in-ligue-1-promotion-playoffs ### 2026-05-13: AS Saint-Étienne readies for decisive Ligue 2 showdown with Rodez Saint‑Étienne gears up for a crucial Ligue 2 play‑off clash with Rodez, boosted by multiple injury returns. 129 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/as-saint-tienne-readies-for-decisive-ligue-2-showdown-with-rodez --- Cite as: Saint‑Étienne rebuild aims for promotion amid increased |$|1. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/sainttienne-clinches-promotion-playoff-berth-after-dramatic-penalty-shootout-against-roderodez