French right-back Frédéric Guilbert (28) has completed his return to Ligue 1 outfit Strasbourg, for a third spell with the Alsatians, joining from Aston Villa.
Loaned out by the Birmingham side to Le Racing twice in 2021, first in January for half a season, and again the following summer for a year, Guilbert comes back to Alsace on a permanent three-and-a-half year deal. The Valognes-born player is now tied to Strasbourg until 2026. In their statement, Strasbourg state that Guilbert was transfered on a free, meaning his Aston Villa contract was terminated by mutual agreement, as Guilbert confirmed on Twitter. This season, the defender only played three games with Aston Villa’s Premier League 2 U23 squad.
After more than 3 years spent here, it is with many shared feelings that I leave Aston villa by mutual agreement. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/YEoFKV2tOj
— Fred Guilbert (@fredguilbert24) January 17, 2023
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Guilbert will wear Strasbourg’s #32 jersey with the Alsace side, who are managerless following Julien Stéphan’s dismissal. The team did earn a much-needed three points this weekend, as the relegation-battlers stunned a struggling Lyon on its turf (1-2). Both Guilbert and RC Strasbourg president Marc Keller pointed to the same goal : to keep Racing in Ligue 1. Guilbert’s arrival could now open the door to Ronaël Pierre-Gabriel’s departure to Espanyol.