Glen Kamara has departed Leeds United after just one season in West Yorkshire, completing a move to French Ligue 1 side Stade Rennais.
The Finnish midfielder was signed by Leeds in the summer of 2023 for a fee reported by The Athletic’s Phil Hay to be around £5 million, and after a successful campaign in the Championship, the Whites have now cashed in on him for a significant profit.
Kamara’s arrival at Leeds was seen as a coup for the club, considering his international experience with Finland and his performances for Rangers in both the Champions League and Europa League.
He quickly became a key figure in Daniel Farke’s squad, starting 33 of the 37 league matches in which he was available.
His presence at the base of Leeds’ midfield was crucial, especially given the injuries and positional changes that saw both Archie Gray and Ethan Ampadu fill in defensively at various stages of the season.
Leeds’ success last season, culminating in a third-place finish and a heart-breaking play-off final defeat to Southampton, was largely built around Kamara’s solid performances.
He was the midfield general, playing more minutes in that position than anyone else at the club. His consistency helped Leeds remain competitive, but following the team’s failure to secure promotion, Kamara decided to pursue a new challenge in France.
Kamara’s Departure from Leeds
Rumours about Kamara’s future began circulating during the summer transfer window.
TBR Football reported that Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion had shown interest in signing both Kamara and Leeds winger Willy Gnonto, while BBC Sport’s Adam Pope suggested that Leeds were determined to keep hold of the Finn.
However, as the transfer window progressed, Ouest France revealed that Kamara was close to agreeing personal terms with Rennes.
The move was eventually confirmed by TEAMtalk, with a fee of €10 million (£8.4 million) reportedly agreed between the two clubs.
Kamara signed a four-year deal with Rennes, a club that finished 10th in Ligue 1 last season and boasts an exciting mix of talent, including former Birmingham City star Jordan James.
Speaking to Rennes’ official website, Kamara explained his decision to join the Ligue 1 side where he has signed until 2028:
“I had very good first contacts with the managers. I came here because the club has ambition. I know that it was built in particular thanks to the training of great players, it is a talent factory.
For Leeds, Kamara’s sale represented a tidy profit on a player who had performed well but was also approaching his peak years at 28.
His contributions were invaluable, particularly in big matches like the play-off semi-final victory over Norwich City and both league wins against Leicester City.
However, his lack of goals and creativity, combined with his advancing age, made the €10 million fee an attractive proposition for the Whites.
Kamara’s First Season at Leeds
Kamara’s impact at Leeds was felt immediately. His technical ability and physicality were clear upgrades in the midfield, and he was a reliable performer in Farke’s system.
However, while his defensive attributes and ball retention were strong, there were some concerns about his attacking contributions.
Kamara’s lack of goals and assists raised questions about whether Leeds could find a more dynamic midfielder, particularly as they looked to build a team capable of returning to the Premier League.
Despite these concerns, Kamara was a key player in Leeds’ midfield. His ability to win duels and carry the ball forward allowed the team to dominate possession and pin opposition sides back.
His partnership with Ampadu or Gruev in a double-pivot was effective, and while his creative output was limited, he provided stability that allowed Leeds’ more attacking players to flourish.
Kamara’s sale has left a void in the Leeds midfield, with the club turning to loan signings like Joe Rothwell and considering a deal for Japanese midfielder Ao Tanaka to fill the gap.
Kamara’s departure, along with the sale of Archie Gray, has forced Leeds to rebuild their midfield, but the club will be hoping that the profits made from Kamara’s sale can be reinvested wisely.
Kamara at Stade Rennais
Kamara has already begun his new chapter at Stade Rennais, and his performances in France have been solid, if not spectacular.
The 28-year-old made his debut in a 3-1 win over Lyon, completing 90 minutes and impressing with his composure on the ball.
He completed 59 of his 64 passes, including 10 progressive passes, while also contributing four shot-creating actions – a sign that he is already being utilised effectively in his new team.
However, Rennes have struggled since that opening victory, losing their next two matches to Strasbourg and Stade de Reims. Kamara’s performances in those games were less influential than his debut, as he was deployed in a wider role rather than his preferred central midfield position.
In total, he completed just 56 passes across the two games, with his passing accuracy and progression dropping compared to the Lyon match.
Nevertheless, Kamara’s defensive contributions have remained strong. He has averaged 4.3 tackles and interceptions per game so far, demonstrating the same combative qualities that made him such a valuable player for Leeds.
His ability to carry the ball through midfield has also been evident, with Kamara completing 80 carries in his first three Ligue 1 appearances.
Kamara’s adaptability has been tested at Rennes, where he has been asked to play in more advanced and wider positions than he did at Leeds.
This was also the case during Finland’s recent international fixtures, where he was deployed as an attacking midfielder in a 3-0 defeat to Greece before returning to his more familiar central midfield role in a 2-0 loss to England.
The Verdict on Kamara’s Move
Kamara’s transfer to Stade Rennais represents a sensible move for both the player and Leeds United.
For Kamara, the opportunity to play in one of Europe’s top leagues at a club that regularly competes for European places will be a step forward in his career.
At 28, he is entering his prime years, and Rennes will be hoping that his experience and technical ability can help them push for a higher finish in Ligue 1.
For Leeds, the sale of Kamara was a case of good business. While he was an important player last season, his lack of attacking output and advancing age made it difficult to turn down a €10 million offer.
Leeds have reinvested in the squad, and although Kamara’s departure leaves a hole in midfield, the club will be confident that they can find suitable replacements.
Kamara’s start at Rennes has been mixed, with strong performances tempered by his team’s struggles.
However, his quality is undeniable, and if Rennes can find the right system to maximise his talents, Kamara could prove to be an excellent signing for the French club. Whether Leeds will come to regret his sale remains to be seen, but for now, both parties appear to have benefited from the deal.