Jeremy Jacquet has delivered an emotional farewell to Stade Rennais, capping his time at the club with the ideal parting gift: helping secure European football for next season as he prepares to join Liverpool this summer.
The 20-year-old centre-back, who agreed a pre-contract with the Reds earlier this year, bid an heartfelt goodbye to the Roazhon Park faithful during Rennes’ final home match of the 2025/26 campaign — a 2-1 victory over Paris FC. Despite being sidelined with a shoulder injury that has kept him out of the last 11 Ligue 1 games, Jacquet was presented with a personalised commemorative gift celebrating his seven years with the club.
He later shared a touching video of the moment on Instagram, accompanied by the simple yet poignant caption: “A wonderful last evening at Roazhon.”
A Loyal Son Delivers on His Promise
Under the terms of his move to Anfield, worth an initial £55million plus £5m in add-ons, Jacquet remained at his boyhood club for the remainder of the season. It was a decision rooted in loyalty and ambition. Even as he eyed a new chapter on Merseyside, the highly rated defender was determined to contribute to Rennes’ push for European qualification.
He has succeeded. Rennes currently sit fifth in Ligue 1 — a position that guarantees Europa League football next term. With a superior goal difference and a three-point cushion over sixth-placed Marseille, avoiding defeat in the final-day trip to the Stade Vélodrome would rubber-stamp their continental return.
In a statement released via Rennes in February, Jacquet articulated his dual priorities with maturity beyond his years:
“I am honoured to sign for Liverpool, one of the greatest football institutions in the world. It was also very important for me to finish my time in red and black on a high, at my boyhood club, the club of my heart. I’m approaching this second half of the season with the desire to experience some great moments with my teammates and the fans.”
His actions have matched those words. Even from the sidelines, Jacquet’s presence and commitment left a lasting impression.
A Major Coup for Liverpool’s Defensive Rebuild
Liverpool beat stiff competition, including from Chelsea, to land one of France’s most promising young defenders. Viewed as a major coup, Jacquet is expected to form a central pillar in the club’s upcoming defensive overhaul. With Virgil van Dijk entering the final year of his contract and uncertainty surrounding Ibrahima Konaté’s future, the Frenchman’s arrival signals clear intent from the Anfield hierarchy.
Though currently recovering from shoulder surgery and likely to miss the final Ligue 1 fixture, Jacquet will link up with his new teammates in pre-season, bringing athleticism, composure on the ball, and significant potential to Arne Slot’s squad.
Emotional yet Forward-Looking
Moments like these highlight the human side of modern football transfers. Jacquet leaves Rennes not as a mercenary but as a grateful son who helped deliver on a shared dream before embarking on his Premier League journey. For Liverpool supporters, it offers an early glimpse of the character and professionalism the young defender will bring to the dressing room.
As the curtain falls on his Rennes chapter, a new and far more demanding one begins at Anfield. If his dedication and class during this transitional period are any indication, Jeremy Jacquet is ready for the spotlight that awaits him on Merseyside.