Saint-Étienne sends Gadegbeku on loan, retains future grip

AS Saint-Étienne has officially loaned 19‑year‑old midfielder Luan Gadegbeku to Pau FC for the 2026‑27 season, offering him regular minutes while the Verts retain control over his contract until 2029.

Loan to Pau FC confirmed

The club announced on Wednesday that the dry loan to Pau FC includes no purchase option, meaning Gadegbeku will return to the Forez region after the season. The move was relayed by En Vert and Contre Tous, confirming the straightforward nature of the deal. Le agreement ensures the young midfielder remains an asset of L’ASSE.

Financial and developmental context

Gadegbeku arrived at Saint-Étienne in 2022 from Juvisy-sur-Orge and signed an extension on 17 February, binding him to the Verts until June 2029. He featured in 12 professional matches last season, prompting the club to send him to Béarn for greater competition exposure. Les Verts also see the loan as a step toward increasing his market value, now estimated at €800,000 by Transfermarkt, up from €300,000 a year earlier.

Saint-Étienne’s strategy is to accelerate his development by granting him regular Ligue 2 minutes. The club believes that consistent game time will help him fulfil his potential before returning to the Forez side in summer 2027. This approach mirrors the earlier loan of Axel Dodote, another Generation Verte talent now at Pau FC.

Ian Cathro, the technical director, opened the door to the solution hours before the official announcement, stating the player must play "au maximum" to aid his emergence. His endorsement highlights the club’s commitment to nurturing home‑grown talent through practical experience.

While Gadegbeku departs, Saint‑Étienne also benefits from the impending sale of former Vert Lucas Gourna‑Douath to Hull City for around €4 million. The club retained a resale percentage from his earlier move to RB Salzburg, promising future financial returns.

Overall, the loan provides Gadegbeku with the platform to amass Ligue 2 minutes, while the Verts keep a promising asset under contract and stand to profit from related transfers.