Rennes will pay a loan fee of €2.5million with an obligation to buy the centre-back next summer for a fixed €22.5m. Thibaud MORITZ / AFP via Getty Images
Aug. 1, 2026 Updated Aug. 4, 2026 7:05 am EDT
Rennes have completed the signing of Charlie Cresswell from Ligue 1 rivals Toulouse.
The Athletic reported on Saturday Rennes had agreed a deal to sign Cresswell, consisting of a loan fee of €2.5million with an obligation to buy the centre-back next summer for a fixed €22.5m, plus an additional €3m in bonuses. Toulouse will retain a 10 per cent future sell-on clause
Rennes, who will play in this season’s Europa League, confirmed his arrival on Tuesday on a contract through to 2031.
The former Leeds United defender will become Toulouse’s second highest ever sale, following striker Emersonn joining Ipswich Town in a deal worth a fixed €28m plus €3m in add-ons, with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, earlier this summer.
The Athletic reported in January that German club Wolfsburg had several bids rejected for Cresswell, 23, the last of which valued at around €23million ($26.2m, £19.9m).
West Ham United had also expressed an interest in the winter transfer window after failing to sign him in the summer.
The former England under-21 international made 34 appearances for Toulouse last season, and contributed four goals and three assists. It marked his second full season in France’s Ligue 1, having left Elland Road in July 2024 after making just 14 first-team appearances.
Cresswell played every minute for England last summer at the Under-21 European Championship, including the final win over Germany, and made 26 appearances for his country in that youth category.
Aug 5, 2026
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