The Forgotten Academy: How Le Havre Quietly Produced Stars Like Mahrez & Pogba

There are a number of different clubs across football, considered to be smaller, who produce and build players through their academies. Southampton in England, and Villareal in Spain, while these sides might not stereotypically be at the top of the table, they always seem to produce young talent.

However, in France, one team that are constantly overlooked is Le Havre. Promoted to Ligue 1 in 2024, Le Havre had a solid campaign in the top tier of French football last season, surviving the drop and finishing in 15th place.

Le Havre’s captain and hero: AROUNA SANGANTE 🇸🇳🫡 pic.twitter.com/gOPK4HvgmA

— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) May 4, 2025

The French club are constantly developing youth, and in the modern day, key players such as Arouna Sangante, Yassine Kechta, and Issa Soumare are the club's ‘hitmakers’ despite being under the age of 24.

Clubs such as Manchester United and Nottingham Forest are linked with the Havre trio. However, the Ligue 1 club have been a talent factory over the years, producing several players that have gone on to shine in European football.

But who are those players that have gone on to star?

Paul Pogba

𝐏𝐚𝐮𝐥 𝐏𝐨𝐠𝐛𝐚 🎉🎂

Champion du monde avec l'équipe de France… Notre ancien 𝗖𝗶𝗲𝗹&𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗲 fête aujourd'hui ses 2️⃣9️⃣ ans !

Joyeux anniversaire à @paulpogba ! 🥳 pic.twitter.com/15ATahoxx6

— Havre Athletic Club ⚽️ (@HAC_Foot) March 15, 2022

In 2025, it is hard to describe Paul Pogba as a star – the Frenchman preparing to return from a drug ban. Nevertheless, during his time in Italy and England, the 32-year-old was one of the best midfielders on the planet.

Pogba began his career at Le Havre, joining the club in 2007, with the midfielder only spending a small time at the French club before moving to one of Europe’s biggest academies, Man United.

But within his two years at Le Havre, the 32-year-old was given his first chance, beginning to learn the ropes of being a professional footballer at the age of 14. Pogba became a maverick, a midfielder like no other; his size, skillset, and vision were incomparable compared to others in his position.

Since departing the Ligue 1 side, Pogba went on to win many of Europe’s best honours, including the UEFA Europa League, Serie A, and World Cup with France.

Riyad Mahrez

It's been 10 years since Leicester signed a little-known winger named Riyad Mahrez for $600K from Ligue 2 side Le Havre.

Two years later he was PFA Players' Player of the Year and won the Premier League in one of the greatest stories the league has ever seen 💙 pic.twitter.com/JWgg55T5TA

— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 11, 2024

Before establishing himself as one of the best wingers in the Premier League, Riyad Mahrez was somewhat of an unknown quantity, playing in the lower tiers of France.

‘Stick to your path’ is encapsulated in the story of Mahrez, the Algerian creator never being considered a wonderkid, having played for Le Havre for six campaigns – three of those being for their B team.

In professional football, and Ligue 2, Mahrez was far from prolific – four goals being his highest in a single season but in 2013, he signed for Leicester City in the Championship.

In his first two years at the club, the Algerian did not set the world on fire. However, in the 2015/16 season, Mahrez exploded, scoring 18 goals and assisting 11 in all competitions. Mahrez had everything that you would want in a winger, being voted the Premier League’s Player of the Season and helping Leicester to their first title in the top-flight in 2016.

The Algerian made a big money move to the Etihad in 2018, further strengthening his trophy cabinet under the leadership of Pep Guardiola as Mahrez lifted the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League.

Despite being a late-bloomer and playing in Ligue 2 at the age of 23, the 34-year-old went on to have a fantastic career, with Le Havre playing a huge part in it.

Steve Mandanda

Le Havre > Marseille 🔵⚪

🇫🇷 Steve Mandanda
🇸🇳 Pape Gueye
🇫🇷 Isaak Touré
🇨🇬 Brice Samba
🇫🇷 Benjamin Mendy pic.twitter.com/CjiKQXHB7u

— Footballogue (@Footballogue) June 30, 2022

A synonymous shot-stopper in France, Steve Mandanda has had a superb career in Ligue 1, playing for both Marseille and Stade Rennais.

However, Mandanda began his career at Le Havre, keeping a clean sheet on his debut and making 67 appearances for the Ligue 2 club before moving on. The veteran then departed to Marseille, where he played 14 seasons, with a loan spell to Crystal Palace in 2016 separating his stay.

In 2022, the Frenchman joined Rennes, who he continues to play for in the present day.

Mandanda had an excellent career, following his departure from Le Havre, winning the Trophee des Champions, Coupe de la Ligue, and Ligue 1, alongside the UEFA Nations League and World Cup with Frances.

Dimitri Payet

Notable former Le Havre academy players:

Paul Pogba
Dimitri Payet
Brice Samba
Steve Mandanda
Lassana Diarra
Yahia Fofana
Loïc Bade
Isaak Toure
Saël Kumbedi

— Genesis 🇺🇦🚀⚽️🚀🇺🇦 (@FiGenesis) March 12, 2023

Potentially referred to as a one-season wonder or a player that fans will remember fondly from his time at West Ham and in the Premier League, Payet spent early time in his career at Le Havre.

Moving from the island of Reunion to Le Havre as part of their partnership, Payet would not pull up any trees before moving to Nantes, where he started to show signs of potential. After scoring four goals in 16 Ligue 1 appearances in the 2006/07 season, the midfielder moved to Saint-Etienne.

From here, Payet developed each year, registering goals and assists in the top tier of French football.

In 2015, Payet joined the Hammers, following several seasons of being one of France’s top midfielders, and the 38-year-old was an instant success, scoring 12 goals and 14 assists in his debut campaign.

However, Payet would not quite reach this height again, being criticised due to his attitude and work rate as he gradually faded out of football.

While he might not have achieved success in trophies compared to the other trio, Payet is a player that an abundance of fans will remember for magical moments.