Saint-Étienne’s aborted signing leaves Ayman Kari adrift
In a quiet office at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Ayman Kari signed the paperwork that ends his professional football career at just twenty‑one. The former PSG academy star was on the verge of joining the Verts of ASSE in January 2025, but the deal collapsed at the last minute.
ASSE had come close to finalising the signing of midfielder Ayman Kari in January 2025, but withdrew at the eleventh hour. The Verts were prepared to offer a three‑and‑a‑half‑year contract to the 20‑year‑old, who had just left Paris Saint‑Germain. The collapse occurred on the final day of the transfer window, leaving the deal unfinished.
A near‑miss for Saint‑Étienne
The aborted move surprised many in Saint‑Étienne, a club battling to stay in Ligue 1. Le Verts had already signalled their intent to give the young midfielder a second chance for the following summer, after the initial failure. Yet the club ultimately decided against the gamble, citing concerns about his physical condition.
Kari, long hailed as one of the brightest prospects from the Paris Saint‑Germain academy, earned caps for France at youth level. He spent two consecutive loan spells at FC Lorient, the second confirmed in the summer of 2023. After departing PSG in 2025, his last professional appearance came on 24 April 2024, and he accumulated roughly twenty senior matches.
Retirement at twenty‑one
In August 2026, the 21‑year‑old announced his decision to quit football, stating he had grown weary of the high‑level demands. AYMAN KARI MET UN TERME A SA CARRIÈRE PROFESSIONNELLE À 21 ANS, choosing instead to pursue a career outside sport. Il posted a brief message on social media, expressing gratitude to former teammates.
The Verts now miss a potential midfield reinforcement that could have aided their relegation fight. Their earlier willingness to offer a second chance highlighted the club’s strategy of nurturing young talent despite limited resources. The missed opportunity also underscores the volatility of transfer dealings in a pressured season.
Kari’s abrupt exit adds a rare chapter to French football, where a promising academy graduate ends his professional journey before reaching his mid‑twenties. It serves as a reminder that the path from youth stardom to senior success is far from guaranteed.