17-Year-Old Prospect Xavier Mandza Signs First Pro Contract with OGC Nice
Xavier Junior Mandza, a 17-year-old French U17 international midfielder who joined OGC Nice’s academy at age six, has signed his first professional contract through June 2029, rejecting a last-minute €3 million offer from Juventus. The deal, secured by sporting director Roger Ricort and President Maurice Cohen, integrates Mandza into the first-team squad under new coach Olivier Pantaloni. His retention is seen as crucial for Nice after losing another prospect to Lyon, highlighting the club’s commitment to youth development.
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Sir Jim Ratcliffe Signs French Midfielder to First Professional Contract at OGC Nice
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has overseen the signing of 17-year-old French midfielder Xavier Junior Mandza to his first professional contract at Ligue 1 club OGC Nice. Mandza, a France Under-17 international, has been with Nice since age six and will join first-team pre-season training. The deal comes amid Manchester United's continued midfield reinforcement priorities for the 2026/27 campaign, with United having reached a full agreement to sign Brazilian midfielder Ederson from Atalanta. Nice's Sporting Director Roger Ricort described Mandza as a 'modern' midfielder capable of creating chances. The signing reflects ongoing youth investment at Nice despite reports that Ratcliffe has lowered his asking price to sell the club.
Yardbarker: SoccerXavier Junior Mandza to Sign with Nice Despite Late Juventus Offer
Highly promising 17-year-old midfielder Xavier Junior Mandza is set to sign his first professional contract with OGC Nice on Monday, despite a last-minute €3 million offer from Juventus. The French U17 international, who had been tracked by several French and European clubs, had only one year left on his aspirant contract with Nice. Juventus contacted Nice officials over the weekend with a bid, but the French club refused, counting on the young talent to be part of Olivier Pantaloni's first-team squad. Mandza will commit to Nice until June 2029, securing his future at his training club.
Mercato 2025 : l'actu des transferts footXavier Junior Mandza Chooses Nice Over Juventus, Signs First Professional Contract
Despite a last-minute €3 million offer from Italian Serie A club Juventus, highly promising 17-year-old midfielder Xavier Junior Mandza is set to sign his first professional contract with OGC Nice, his training club, on Monday. The French U17 international had been closely monitored by several European clubs, but Nice rejected Juventus's weekend approach, counting on the young talent to join their first-team squad under coach Olivier Pantaloni. The contract will tie Mandza to Nice until 2029, securing the future of one of France's most watched young prospects.
Foot - actualités, mercato, info & vidéo en continuXavier Junior Mandza to Sign with Nice Despite Last-Minute Juventus Offer
OGC Nice has secured the future of highly promising 17-year-old midfielder Xavier Junior Mandza, who will sign his first professional contract with the club on Monday, tying him until June 2029. Juventus made a late attempt to divert the player by submitting a €3 million offer to Nice over the weekend, but the French club rejected it outright. Mandza, a French U17 international, had only one year remaining on his aspirant (youth) contract and had been tracked by several French and European clubs. Nice plans to integrate him into the first-team squad under manager Olivier Pantaloni. The deal underscores Nice's commitment to developing young talent and fending off interest from top European clubs.
Mercato 2025 : l'actu des transferts footProspect Xavier Mandza Signs First Professional Contract with OGC Nice
Xavier Junior Mandza, a highly promising 17-year-old midfielder who has been with OGC Nice's academy since age six, has agreed to sign his first professional contract with the club, fending off interest from several other Ligue 1 clubs. The negotiations, led by new sporting director Roger Ricort and President Maurice Cohen, concluded on Thursday. Mandza will sign a three-year contract and is expected to join the senior squad when training resumes, giving new head coach Olivier Pantaloni a chance to evaluate his technical ability and game reading. His retention is seen as crucial for Nice, especially after losing another prospect, Kaïl Boudache, to Lyon.
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