The summer of 2026 represented the biggest transfer window in the history of the V Sports project. With Aston Villa preparing for another campaign at the top of English football, Vitória SC looking to establish themselves in European competition, Annecy facing the enormous challenge of Ligue 1 after promotion likewise Real Union following theirs, GAIS continuing their development in Sweden, and our African clubs preparing for another year of talent production, every decision had to fit one long-term vision. Unlike previous windows, this wasn’t simply about adding players. Every transfer had a purpose. Some were designed to improve the starting XI immediately, others were investments for the future, while a huge number of carefully planned loan moves ensured our young players would receive the right level of football to continue their development. With the FIFA World Cup disrupting scouting schedules and negotiations throughout the summer, completing this amount of business across seven clubs was an enormous challenge, but one the V Sports recruitment team embraced.
Aston Villa Departures
Aston Villa’s transfer strategy was built around one difficult reality: sometimes success means saying goodbye to players who have helped take the club forward. The headline departure was undoubtedly Pau Torres, whose consistently outstanding performances over recent seasons attracted the attention of Europe’s elite. When Real Madrid came calling with an offer worth €76 million, it became impossible to ignore. Losing one of the Premier League’s finest ball-playing centre-backs is never easy, but the fee represented exceptional value and provided significant funds to continue strengthening both Villa and the wider V Sports network. Another midfielder moving on was Enzo Barrenechea, who completed a €12 million move to Benfica. Although technically gifted and dependable whenever called upon, opportunities were becoming increasingly limited, making this the right move for both player and club. Out wide, Leon Bailey returned to Spain after Real Sociedad agreed a €10.75 million deal. His pace and direct running had produced plenty of memorable moments in claret and blue, but with Villa evolving tactically, both parties felt it was time for a new challenge. Veteran defender Tyrone Mings also departed after years of loyal service, joining Marseille for €9.75 million. Few players have embodied Aston Villa’s spirit quite like Mings, and while his influence on the dressing room will be missed, the opportunity to continue playing regular football abroad was one he deserved. Perhaps the biggest surprise of the window was the sale of highly-rated academy striker Brian Madjo, who joined Manchester City for €7.5 million. Losing one of England’s brightest young forwards wasn’t ideal, but the financial return reflected his enormous potential. Fellow academy graduate Kaden Young secured a move to Everton for €4.1 million, hoping first-team opportunities will accelerate his development. Elsewhere, Emiliano Buendía joined River Plate on loan with an obligation to buy worth €18.75 million, while Donyell Malen moved to Ipswich Town on loan. Should he reach 25 appearances, the move will become permanent for a remarkable €89 million, potentially becoming one of the biggest outgoing transfers in club history.
Vitória Departures
Vitória’s squad remained relatively stable, with only two senior departures. Experienced goalkeeper Charles brought an end to his time in Portugal by joining Bristol City for €475,000. Having provided years of reliable service, the Brazilian leaves with the respect of everyone associated with the club. Spanish winger Fábio Blanco also departed, signing for Córdoba in a €1.4 million deal. Although technically gifted, opportunities had become increasingly limited, making the move beneficial for both parties.
Annecy Departures
Following promotion to Ligue 1, Annecy’s summer was always going to be emotional as well as transformative.
The club said goodbye to two veterans who played enormous roles in achieving promotion. Ahmed Kashi and Fabrice N’Sakala both retired from professional football, but rather than leaving the club entirely, they immediately joined Annecy’s coaching staff. Their leadership helped lay the foundations for promotion, and their experience will now help develop the next generation. Several experienced professionals also departed following the expiration of their contracts. Valentin Jacob, François Lajugie, and Antoine Larose all left having played important roles throughout Annecy’s remarkable rise through the divisions. Goalkeeper Thomas Callens joined Dunkerque for €64,000, while defensive midfielder Matteo Veillon completed an €84,000 move to Tenerife.
These departures signalled the end of one chapter, but also created space for a squad capable of competing at Ligue 1 level.
GAIS Departures
GAIS also saw several familiar faces move on during the summer.
Central defender Oskar Ågren joined Portuguese side Famalicão for €675,000, while Canadian striker Samuel Salter completed a move to BK Häcken. The biggest departure was undoubtedly Ibrahim Diabaté, whose goals had fired Annecy to promotion during his loan spell before earning a €1.5 million move to Le Havre. His performances proved exactly why the V Sports loan system exists. Midfielder Henry Sietsjee also departed for Norwegian side Odd after a €215,000 transfer.
Aston Villa Signings
Ez Abde — €45m from Real Betis
Villa’s marquee signing of the summer arrived in the form of Moroccan international Ez Abde. Blessed with explosive acceleration, outstanding dribbling and fearless one-on-one ability, he brings exactly the kind of attacking unpredictability the squad was lacking. His arrival should give Villa another genuine match winner capable of unlocking deep defensive blocks while fitting perfectly into the club’s fast transitional style.
Chadi Riad — €17.5m from Crystal Palace
Replacing Pau Torres was never going to be straightforward, but Chadi Riad represents an exciting long-term solution. The Moroccan defender combines strong positioning, excellent anticipation and composure on the ball with the athleticism needed to defend high up the pitch. Still only 23 years old, he has every attribute required to develop into one of Europe’s premier central defenders.
Karl Etta Eyong — €30m from Levante
Villa continued their investment in elite African talent by signing Cameroonian striker Karl Etta Eyong. Powerful, mobile and already an excellent finisher, he possesses impressive physical attributes alongside intelligent movement inside the penalty area. At just 22, he arrives ready to compete immediately while still possessing enormous room for growth.
Noah Sadiki — €38.5m from Sunderland
One of the standout midfielders last season, Noah Sadiki brings energy, defensive intelligence and relentless work rate to Villa’s midfield. Comfortable progressing possession while also breaking up opposition attacks, the Congolese international looks perfectly suited to anchoring Aston Villa’s midfield for years to come.
Arsène Kouassi — €20m from Lorient
Finding an long term attacking left-back was a major priority, and Arsène Kouassi ticks every box. The Burkina Faso international combines exceptional pace with impressive dribbling ability and attacking intent, giving Villa another dangerous outlet down the left flank while remaining capable defensively.
Modou Keba Cissé — €5.5m from LASK
Perhaps one of the bargains of the summer, Senegalese centre-back Modou Keba Cissé joins with enormous upside. Aggressive, athletic and dominant physically, he provides excellent depth immediately while possessing all the tools required to become a future first-team regular.
Hamza Abdelkarim — €10.25m from Al Ahly
One of Egypt’s brightest young forwards, Hamza Abdelkarim arrives as an investment in the future. Despite being only 18 years old, his finishing, technical ability and movement already suggest enormous potential. His immediate loan move to Annecy should provide the ideal platform for his continued development.
Vitória Signings
Alban Lafont — €2.5m from Nantes
Charles’ departure left Vitória needing an experienced goalkeeper, and Alban Lafont was the perfect response. Still only 27, the Ivorian arrives with years of top-level experience and immediately raises the standard between the posts with his commanding presence and excellent shot-stopping ability.
Thierno Baldé — €1.5m from Troyes
The search for an attacking right-back ended with the arrival of Thierno Baldé. His pace, crossing ability and athleticism perfectly suit Vitória’s desire to attack aggressively from wide areas.
Rassoul Ndiaye — €6.25m from Le Havre
Every successful midfield needs balance, and Senegal international Rassoul Ndiaye provides exactly that. Intelligent defensively, composed in possession and blessed with exceptional work rate, he should become the platform upon which Vitória’s midfield operates.
Arthur Avom Ebong — €8.75m from Lorient
Cameroonian midfielder Arthur Avom Ebong adds energy, technical quality and progression through midfield. His combination of passing, movement and defensive contribution makes him an ideal box-to-box presence within Vitória’s new-look midfield.
Kamory Doumbia — €14.5m from Brest
Vitória’s record signing immediately becomes the creative heartbeat of the side. Kamory Doumbia arrives from Brest following outstanding performances in France, bringing exceptional dribbling, vision and attacking intelligence. The Malian international should provide the creativity needed to unlock stubborn defences while also contributing goals from midfield.
Lamine Sadio — €2.5m from FC Nordsjælland
Deadline day saw another exciting Senegalese talent arrive. Lamine Sadio is a technically gifted midfielder whose outstanding first touch, technique and passing already stand out despite his age. His signing continues Vitória’s commitment to recruiting some of Africa’s brightest young prospects before they explode onto the European stage.
Ibrahim El Nagaawy — €3.1m from Ismaily
Joining alongside Sadio was Egyptian winger Ibrahim El Nagaawy. Quick, determined and naturally direct with the ball at his feet, he represents another high-upside signing who should benefit enormously from Vitória’s development environment.
Annecy First-Team Signings
Leo Kokubo — €575k from Sint-Truiden
The arrival of Nigerian goalkeeper Leo Kokubo provides Annecy with an athletic modern goalkeeper capable of playing from the back while also commanding his penalty area.
Aji Alese — €3.2m from Sunderland
Following promotion, strengthening central defence became essential. Nigerian defender Aji Alese brings physicality, pace and composure to Annecy’s back line and should become one half of a completely new central defensive partnership.
Ali Youssef — €500k from Nantes
Joining Alese is Libyan international Ali Youssef, whose calm distribution, positioning and defensive awareness make him an excellent complement to his Nigerian partner.
Ebrima Darboe — €1.5m from SSC Bari
Annecy’s midfield receives a huge upgrade through the signing of Ebrima Darboe. The Gambian midfielder combines excellent passing ability with impressive positioning, giving the newly promoted side a composed presence at the base of midfield.
Thapelo Maseko — €300k from Sundowns
South African winger Thapelo Maseko adds pace and excitement in wide areas. His explosive acceleration and direct running should make him a valuable weapon on the counterattack as Annecy prepare for life in Ligue 1.
Joe Aribo — Free from Southampton
Arguably Annecy’s most important signing, Joe Aribo arrives with Premier League and international experience at exactly the right time. His leadership, versatility and technical quality should prove invaluable for a squad taking its first steps in France’s top flight.
Annecy Youth Recruitment
While strengthening the first team was essential, Annecy’s long-term recruitment strategy remained firmly focused on identifying Africa’s next generation of stars. Twelve exciting youngsters arrived from across Africa and Europe, including Azzedine Arma, Sega Fall, Elyes Dhaoui, Lazola Maku, Idrissa Lopes, Guychel Mpenza, Sfiso Timba, António Suami, Ayman Karmoun, Modibo Sissoko, Ilídio Panda, and João Moreira.
Collectively, they represent almost every area of the pitch and every stage of development. Some are physically gifted, others technically exceptional, while several possess elite mental attributes for their age. Rather than chasing expensive established talent, Annecy continue to invest in the future, building what could become one of the strongest youth groups anywhere in Europe.
GAIS Youth Recruitment
GAIS also continued embracing the V Sports philosophy by investing exclusively in young talent with enormous potential.
Anthony Mlingo, Mohamed Chamssoudine, Ilyes Belahouel, Yanis El Joumani, Adriano Fati, and Babacar Bousso all arrive with significant upside despite their young ages. Between them, they strengthen almost every area of the academy, adding pace, athleticism, technical quality and exciting attacking potential. The hope is that Sweden provides the perfect environment for these youngsters to develop before eventually progressing further within the V Sports network.
Strengthening the Network Through Loans
As important as the permanent transfers were, the loan strategy remains the glue that holds the V Sports project together.
Aston Villa once again entrusted Vitória with the continued development of Franculino and Sadibou Sane, while new signing Arsène Kouassi also heads to Portugal to gain valuable European experience. Newly-promoted Annecy receive exciting striker Hamza Abdelkarim, alongside Lamare Bogarde and Langelihle Phili, significantly boosting their squad for the challenge of Ligue 1. GAIS once again become home to Alysson Edward, joined this year by Omar Khedr following his impressive spell at Real Union, while Gomolemo Kekana also steps up after an encouraging season in France. ASEC benefit from the arrivals of Mohamed Koné, Oliwier Zych, and Modou Keba Cissé, giving the Ivorian champions quality throughout the spine of their team. Meanwhile, Joe Gauci and Yeimar Mosquera strengthen ZED FC as they continue their development in Egypt.
Vitória also distributed talent throughout the network. Siyanda Ndlovu returns to Annecy for a bigger challenge following promotion, while Mfundo Vilakazi moves to GAIS to experience top-flight Swedish football. Vando Félix, Marco Cruz, Thiago Ballieiro, and Guilherme Ribeiro all join Real Union, ensuring regular football in Spain. Alioune Ndoye heads to ASEC, while Moussa Samba and Ejike Opara continue their development with ZED FC.
Annecy’s own loan strategy ensures several promising youngsters receive valuable senior football. Ben Hamed Touré returns to GAIS, while Sfiso Timba, Kilyan Jusseron-Venière, and Ranjan Neelakandan all move to Real Union. Modibo Sissoko and Dame Diop will spend the season with ZED FC.
Finally, GAIS loan out four exciting youngsters of their own. Babacar Bousso heads to Real Union, while Modou Sene, Abdessalem Akid, and Yaya Dieme all join ASEC, ensuring every player continues receiving meaningful competitive minutes.
One Network. One Vision.
Looking back on the window as a whole, this has arguably been the most ambitious recruitment drive since V Sports was established. Operating during a World Cup summer made scouting significantly more difficult, with many players unavailable, international schedules disrupting negotiations, and competition for emerging talent greater than ever. Despite those challenges, the recruitment department successfully strengthened every single club within the network. Established first-team quality has been added where immediate improvement was needed, while an extraordinary collection of African prospects has been recruited to secure the future. Perhaps most importantly, the carefully structured loan system ensures that no player is left without a clear pathway. Every signing has a development plan, every loan has a purpose, and every club has become stronger.
From Villa competing at the top of the Premier League, to Vitória pushing in Europe, Annecy preparing for life in Ligue 1, GAIS continuing their rise in Sweden, and ASEC and ZED benefiting from elite young talent, the entire network moves into the 2026/27 season stronger, deeper and more connected than ever before.
The vision remains unchanged: One Network. One Identity. One Way Forward.
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