West Bromwich Albion secures Ligue 2 talent in Galves four-year pact

Rodez AF defender Nolan Galves, 23, has signed a four‑year contract with West Bromwich Albion, the English Championship side confirming the deal through journalist Sacha Tavolieri. The 23‑year‑old French defender moves from Ligue 2 club Rodez AF to the Championship, linking up with a club that has previously fielded only three French players.

Galves is a product of the FC Sochaux-Montbéliard academy, where he was thrown in at the deep end and accumulated 32 appearances for the French side. His development in the Ligue 2 system prepared him for senior football.

He joined Rodez AF in the summer of 2024 and quickly became a key member of Didier Santini’s squad. Santini relied on Galves as a regular starter in the defensive line.

During the 2025‑26 season, Galves started 31 of his 36 appearances across all competitions. He contributed eight assists, helping Rodez qualify for the promotion play‑offs to Ligue 1.

The transfer makes Galves the first Ligue 2 player to sign for a Championship club in the 21st century.

At West Bromwich Albion, Galves will be the fourth Frenchman to represent the club at professional level, following Morgan Amalfitano, Nicolas Anelka and Yann M’Vila.

For West Brom, the signing adds a young defender with proven play‑making ability to a squad seeking depth. Rodez AF, meanwhile, will need to replace a player who was instrumental in their recent push for promotion.