Former Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain defender Serge Aurier is in talks to join Montigny-en-Gohelle, a club in the seventh tier of French football. The 33-year-old, who has been a free agent since leaving Iranian side Persepolis earlier this year, is closing in on the move to the minnows based close to Ligue 1 club Lens.
Career ups and downs
Aurier spent four years in north London with Tottenham after playing for PSG. He was part of the Spurs side that regularly finished in the top four and helped the club reach the Champions League final in 2019. He also played under Mauricio Pochettino and Jose Mourinho during his time in England.
Montigny-en-Gohelle play in the second division of the Hauts-de-France regional league, the equivalent of the Isthmian League Premier Division in England. The team conceded ten goals at the weekend to rivals Biache-Saint-Vaast, and Aurier will hope to strengthen their backline if he joins.
Documents delay and future plans
The move is reportedly being held up due to delays with documents from the Iranian Football Federation. Sources told local paper La Voix du Nord they expect Aurier to get the green light to sign.
Aurier has already reunited with Lens, the club where he first emerged, and has been appointed their Under-15 coach. He is keen to remain playing for now.
After coming through the ranks at Lens, he moved to Toulouse before joining PSG initially on loan and then permanently. His performances in Paris attracted Tottenham's attention. After a year with Villarreal, he returned to the Premier League to help Nottingham Forest's survival bid, spending two years at the City Ground as the club re-established themselves in the top flight.
Honours and international career
Aurier has won 11 trophies with PSG and also claimed the Super Lig title with Galatasaray in 2024. On the international stage, he has twice been part of Ivory Coast squads that won the Africa Cup of Nations.
