Loan fee of €300,000 and €6m option give ASSE a financial boost

ASSE confirmed on Wednesday that midfielder Pierre Ekwah is leaving the Verts on loan to AJ Auxerre, a deal that brings an immediate €300,000 to the club and includes a purchase option valued around €6 million.

Loan details and financial terms

Le loan is a paid arrangement of €300,000 and comes with an option to buy that is not mandatory but is set at roughly €6 million. The Club expects the operation to generate additional revenue for the Stéphanois side beyond the initial fee. If the option is exercised, the transfer would be valued at around €6 million, allowing ASSE to close the chapter next summer should Ekwah convince in the Yonne region.

Ekwah's career trajectory

Une French midfielder aged 24, the former Nantais arrived from Sunderland in 2024 and quickly established himself in the Saint‑Étienne lineup. He featured in 29 Ligue 1 matches and scored a goal against Angers during his first season wearing the Vert shirt. After ASSE’s relegation, his stint at Watford produced only seven appearances out of 17 possible matches, limiting his impact.

Implications for ASSE and Auxerre

According to Peuple Vert, the move gives Ekwah a chance to relaunch in Ligue 1, far from the Forez region where he trained this summer. The midfielder remains under contract until June 2029, and the loan runs through the 2026‑2027 season, after which the clubs will decide on the purchase. The transfer also provides a welcome exit for all parties, delivering immediate cash flow to the Verts while offering Auxerre a potential long‑term addition.