Mikayil Faye Joins 1. FC Nuremberg on Loan from Rennes
1. FC Nuremberg signed Senegalese defender Mikayil Faye (22) on loan from Stade Rennes for the 2026-27 season, with a purchase option. The left-footed center-back, formerly of Barcelona’s B team, faced travel delays and a work permit holdup at the German embassy in Rome. After limited playing time at Rennes and Cremonese, Faye aims to revive his career in the German 2. Bundesliga.
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Mikayil Faye: From Barcelona Prospect to Nuremberg New Signing
Mikayil Faye, a 22-year-old Senegalese defender, has joined 1. FC Nürnberg on loan from Stade Rennes. Three years ago, Faye was considered Europe's top defensive sensation after an outstanding season with Croatian second-division side NK Kustošija. FC Barcelona won the race for his signature, beating Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund, though he never played for Barcelona's first team. He was included in the professional squad three times under Hansi Flick. In 2024, Rennes paid €10 million for him. At Barcelona's second team, Faye played alongside Pau Cubarsí, who became a World Cup winner and was voted best young player of the tournament. Faye made his international debut for Senegal at just 14 years, 9 months, and 1 day old in the U17 Africa Cup of Nations. He has one senior cap for Senegal, playing 80 minutes against Gabon in March 2024. Faye is known for his physical presence, composure under pressure, powerful long throw-ins, and free-kick ability.
Mikayil Faye Arrives at 1. FC Nürnberg Training Camp, Begins Fitness Buildup
Mikayil Faye, the 22-year-old Senegalese defender signed by 1. FC Nürnberg for a reported €10 million, arrived at the club's training camp in South Tyrol on July 23, 2026. After extensive travel from Frankfurt, Nuremberg, Rome, and Munich, he met his coaching staff late Thursday evening. On Friday, Faye did not join team training but instead worked on a spinning bike in the fitness tent, focusing on basic endurance. Sporting director Joti Chatzialexiou stated the club will give Faye time and patience to build fitness, noting the team has capable players in his position. Head coach Miroslav Klose expressed confidence in the fitness team and his gut feeling that the signing will succeed. Faye arrived with inadequate fitness after only private training and limited match practice (two starts for US Cremonese). The loan deal runs until 2027 with limited financial risk for Nürnberg.
Mikayil Faye Arrives at 1. FC Nuremberg Training Camp, Begins Fitness Buildup
Mikayil Faye, the 22-year-old Senegalese defender signed by 1. FC Nuremberg on a loan deal until 2027, arrived at the club's training camp in South Tyrol on July 23, 2026, after extensive travel. The €10 million man (transferred from Barcelona to Rennes for €10.3 million in 2024) began his preseason preparation with basic endurance training on a spinning bike, as he arrived with inadequate fitness and match practice (only two starts for loan club US Cremonese). Sporting director Joti Chatzialexiou emphasized the club will give Faye time and patience, noting the team has capable players in his position. Head coach Miroslav Klose expressed confidence in the fitness staff and his gut feeling that Faye will succeed. The club appears to have limited financial risk with the loan deal.
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1. FC Nürnberg Signs Senegalese Defender Mikayil Faye on Loan from Barcelona
1. FC Nürnberg has strengthened its defense by securing Senegalese defender Mikayil Faye on a loan deal. Faye, a former talent from FC Barcelona's youth system, has previously been valued in the eight-figure market value range during his career. The move aims to bolster Nürnberg's backline for the upcoming season.
Stade Rennais Loans Mikayil Faye to Nuremberg with Option to Buy
Stade Rennais continues its squad downsizing by loaning 22-year-old Senegalese central defender Mikayil Faye to 1. FC Nuremberg, a club in the German 2. Bundesliga. The deal includes an option to buy. Faye, who previously spent a season on loan at Italian side Cremonese, has struggled for playing time over the last two seasons, featuring in only 21 matches across all competitions for Rennes and Cremonese. He joined Rennes from Barcelona in the summer of 2024 for a transfer fee of €10.5 million and still has two years remaining on his contract. The loan move is intended to help the young defender relaunch his career after a difficult period.
Nuremberg Transfer Delayed: Work Permit for Faye Stalled at German Embassy in Rome
The transfer of Senegalese center-back Mikayil Faye (22) to 1. FC Nuremberg is delayed because his work permit is still missing. Although all documents for the loan deal (until 2027) from Stade Rennes were signed on Wednesday, the permit must now be obtained from the German embassy in Rome, as Faye's last employer was Italian second division club US Cremonese. Faye, who moved to Ligue 1 in 2024 for a €10.3 million transfer fee, has not had team training and has only been keeping fit privately. Nuremberg's sports director Joti Chatzialexiou acknowledged the risk but plans to build Faye up slowly, comparing his situation to previous signings like Javier Fernandez and Mahir Emreli. The club lost two top defenders (Luca and Fabio) and sees Faye as a long-term investment rather than an immediate solution.
Faye's Flight Canceled: 10-Million-Euro Man Keeps Nuremberg Waiting
Mikayil Faye, a 22-year-old Senegalese defender newly signed by 1. FC Nuremberg on loan from Stade Rennes (with a purchase option), experienced travel delays when his connecting flight to Frankfurt was canceled. His scheduled medical examination in Nuremberg on Tuesday morning had to be postponed. Faye, who previously played for FC Barcelona and moved to Ligue 1 in 2024 for €10.3 million, finally arrived in Franconia later that afternoon. If his medical checks go well, he will travel to the team's training camp in South Tyrol on Wednesday. However, he is not expected to play in Saturday's friendly against Italian second-division side FC Palermo, as he only made two starting appearances last season on loan at Cremonese. This will be Faye's fifth club in Europe.
Nuremberg Signs Ex-Barcelona Talent Mikayil Faye on Loan from Rennes
1. FC Nuremberg has secured a loan deal for defender Mikayil Faye (22) from Stade Rennes for the 2026-27 season, with a purchase option included. The left-footed center-back, who can also play left-back, is expected to undergo a medical check within two days. Faye, a Senegalese talent, previously moved from Barcelona's second team to Rennes in 2024 for €10.3 million, with Barcelona retaining a €25 million buyback option and a 30% sell-on clause. After limited playing time at Rennes and on loan at Cremonese last season, Faye is expected to get more minutes at Nuremberg, which has defensive gaps following several departures. This will be Faye's fifth European club, having started in Croatia before joining Barcelona's B team.