Among the long list of good players trained at Stade Rennais, the name of Arthur Atta is not necessarily the one that immediately comes to mind. His departure from the club at a very young age can explain this relative oblivion (he joined FC Metz in 2018, at the age of 15), and that for Italy in 2024 as well. However, the midfielder born in 2003 learned his lessons for eight years within the Breton club, where he was able to rub shoulders with Andy Diouf, Matthis Abline and Loum Tchaouna, all from the same promotion.
It was then in Lorraine that he completed his training by following his father Eric, today responsible for recruitment at FC Metz. Atta signed his first professional contract there in January 2023, before playing 43 professional matches (21 in L1, 18 in L2). The same year, he made six appearances in the French U20 team which remain, to this day, his only ones in the French youth selections (he is no longer eligible to play with the French Espoirs).
One of the rare satisfactions for Fiorentina at the start of the season
Having left to take the gamble at Udinese in 2025, the 1.89m midfielder quickly confirmed the merits of this decision, although it is not always synonymous with success for young French players. This summer, Fiorentina did not hesitate to put 25 million euros on the table to attract the native of Rennes, author of a high-flying last season (32 Serie A matches, 5 goals, 3 assists) when his new club finished its own in 15th place. Accounting, the Viola does not have a more convincing start to the year, despite an XXL transfer window, but Atta reassures his leaders in the desire to make him the strong man of the project.
“Atta is irreplaceable!” He is Udinese’s best recruit of the summer and the guarantor of the balance of the squad. He is destined to become the true pillar of the Fiorentina squad, capable of turning the system upside down thanks to his technical quality.writes the Gazzetta dello Sport about him. Former striker converted midfielder during his training, Atta seduced Fabio Grosso (since sacked) upon his arrival this summer. “Huge congratulations to Paratici (Fiorentina sporting director) for pulling off this move, I couldn’t believe it. I am really happy to welcome this young player who combines quality, work and speed. He is versatile and has great potential.”said the former OL coach.
He dreams of the Blues
Not always used in his best position by Fabio Grosso (he sometimes played under the striker), he is already among the priorities of the new coach, Paolo Vanoli, who intends to find him the best place in order to best promote his qualities. A first step to begin to glimpse, perhaps one day, his dream of reaching the French team. According to the Corriere dello Sport, “impressing ZinĂ©dine Zidane and reaching the Blues are part of his concrete objectives” in the coming months. With the example of Lucas Da Cunha, summoned after his very good performances for Como, the former Rennais has confirmation that everything can go very quickly, and that the new coach remains as attentive as ever to what is happening in Italy…
