Official | Defender Maxime Bernauer joins Saint-Étienne on loan from Dinamo Zagreb | OneFootball

Desperate to bolster their shaky backline, AS Saint-Étienne have added a new defender for the remainder of the season.

On Sunday, the club announced that Dinamo Zagreb’s Maxime Bernauer (26) had joined Les Verts on loan with an option to buy.

The Frenchman had featured in six of their eight UEFA Champions League affairs in the League phase, playing the full 90 minutes in a 2-2 draw with AS Monaco.

Before moving to Croatia, he made over 60 appearances in two Ligue 2 campaigns at Paris FC, while also previously playing in Championnat National with US Concarneau and Le Mans.

During this time in Zagreb, he helped them capture the Croatian Cup in 2023. Under contract with them until June 30, 2027, Bernauer’s deal with Saint-Étienne includes a loan with a purchase option to be activated at the end of this season.

His versatility to play at either right-back or in central defence could prove to be a valuable asset to Sainté who have struggled at the back throughout the Ligue 1 campaign, conceding the second-most goals (43).

Eirik Horneland’s men are on a four-match winless run domestically and sitting in the relegation play-off position. They are two points below Stade Rennais for a guaranteed place in the top-flight next season.

Having trained at Rennes, the defender had also featured for the French U-16 and U-17 teams.

Bernauer becomes the second new addition to Les Verts during the winter transfer window after Irvin Cardona (27) rejoined the club on loan from FC Augsburg.

GFFN | Joel Lefevre