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Malik Sellouki swaps Laval for Rio Ave in confirmed Ligue 2 exit
The French midfielder, 25, departs the Stade Francis Le Basser after a productive Ligue 2 spell, joining the Portuguese side in a deal announced on 25 August 2026.
Malik Sellouki has completed a transfer from Laval to Rio Ave, with the move confirmed on 25 August 2026. The 25-year-old French midfielder departs the Stade Francis Le Basser after a productive spell in Ligue 2, where he established himself as a regular starter and a persistent box-to-box presence.
At a glance
- Age: 25 (born 21 March 2000, Nice)
- Position: Midfielder | Deal: Permanent transfer, 25 Aug 2026
- From: Laval (Ligue 2) | To: Rio Ave (Portugal)
Career context
Sellouki's path has taken him across four countries, reflecting the journeyman trajectory of a player who has consistently found opportunities to prove himself. He began his senior career in the French Ligue 1 setup with Nice, leaving in August 2021 as a free agent to join Slovenian side Maribor. It was there, during the 2021/2022 season, that he won his first trophy — the 1. SNL title — establishing himself as a reliable midfielder in European football.
His next step was to the Eredivisie with ADO Den Haag in July 2022, though the terms of that move remain undisclosed. After two seasons in the Netherlands, he returned to France in August 2024 on a free transfer to Laval, where he became a cornerstone of the midfield. His red card suspension in March 2023 — a two-day absence from 11 to 13 March — was one of the few blemishes on an otherwise consistent run of form.
Now, at 25, he embarks on the latest chapter of his career in Portugal's Primeira Liga with Rio Ave, a club founded in 1939 and based in Vila do Conde, playing their home fixtures at the Estádio do Rio Ave Futebol Clube.
How he fits at his new club
Rio Ave, competing in the Portuguese top flight, will likely deploy Sellouki in a central midfield role — the position he occupied throughout his Ligue 2 campaign. His profile suggests a player comfortable operating in the middle third, capable of both defending and contributing to build-up play. His technical attributes — particularly an 80-rated technique and a 53-rated attacking output — indicate a midfielder who can carry the ball effectively and arrive in the box at key moments.
His duel rating of 86 and a season in which he won 115 of 229 duels (50%) suggests he thrives in physical, contested environments — a trait well-suited to the intensity of Portuguese football. Meanwhile, his 83% pass accuracy across 825 total passes in Ligue 2 demonstrates composure under pressure and reliability in possession, qualities that any top-flight coach will value.
Apps
Goals
Assists
Minutes
Rating
At 177cm and 67kg, Sellouki is compact and agile, with a 37% dribble success rate on 54 attempts — evidence that he can navigate tight spaces and retain possession in crowded areas. His 28 key passes and 2 assists in Ligue 2 suggest he also contributes to attacking creativity without being a primary playmaker.
Recent numbers
During the 2025 Ligue 2 season, Sellouki was one of Laval's most consistent performers. Across 31 league appearances, he accumulated 2,149 minutes — an average of nearly 70 minutes per game — and started 25 of those matches. His output was notable for a midfielder: 5 goals, 2 assists, and 19 shots on target from 33 total shots.
His overall season statistics across all competitions (33 apps, 2,184 minutes) paint a picture of durability and involvement. He won 115 of 229 duels, made 25 tackles, 11 interceptions, and drew 49 fouls — a testament to his work rate and willingness to engage. His 6.92 overall rating reflects a player who consistently delivered above-average performances.
In cup competition, he added 2 Coupe de France appearances, scoring once in 35 minutes with a 7.3 rating, further underscoring his ability to impact games in short bursts.
His two most recent outings — both in the 2026 Ligue 2 season — showed flashes of his familiar form. On 14 August 2026, he played 89 minutes in a 2-1 home victory over Nantes, earning a 7.2 rating with 5 of 9 duels won, 2 of 3 dribbles successful, and 1 shot on target. A week earlier, on 8 August, he played 66 minutes in a 3-1 away defeat to Rodez, where his rating dipped to 6.2, with 2 of 5 duels won and 1 of 2 dribbles attempted.
Key takeaways
| Metric | Ligue 2 2025 | Coupe de France 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Appearances | 31 | 2 |
| Minutes | 2,149 | 35 |
| Goals | 5 | 1 |
| Assists | 2 | 0 |
| Pass accuracy | 83% | 66% |
| Duels won | 109/222 (49%) | 6/7 (86%) |
| Rating | 6.9 | 7.3 |
- Sellouki brings 31 Ligue 2 starts and 2,149 minutes of top-flight experience to Rio Ave, providing immediate familiarity with high-intensity European football.
- His 5 goals, 2 assists, and 19 shots on target demonstrate an eye for goal from midfield — a valuable asset in a league where scoring is often at a premium.
- At 25 years old, he is entering his prime years, and his track record of winning trophies (1. SNL with Maribor) suggests he thrives in competitive environments.
- His 83% pass accuracy and 28 key passes indicate he can serve as a reliable distributor in addition to his box-to-box energy.
- The transfer represents a step up in competition, moving from Ligue 2 to the Portuguese Primeira Liga — a natural progression for a player of his profile and age.