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Veteran Defender Mathieu Deplagne Joins San Antonio FC

By USLChampionship.com Staff, 04/08/21, 3:46PM EDT

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Former Champions League defender and Ligue 1 champion strengthens SAFC roster


New San Antonio FC signing Mathieu Deplagne most recently competed in Major League Soccer, but also brings experience from Ligue 1 in his native France and the UEFA Champions League.

SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio FC announced on Thursday it had signed defender Mathieu Deplagne for the 2021 USL Championship season, pending league and federation approval. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“As a staff, we are very excited to welcome Mathieu to the SAFC family,” said SAFC Head Coach Alen Marcina. “Mathieu is an accomplished defender who holds French first division, MLS, and Champions League experience. His professionalism, consistency in play, and unrelenting desire to win are valued attributes that will add to our competitive and aggressive backline.”

Deplagne joins SAFC after spending the past two seasons with FC Cincinnati in Major League Soccer. During his time in Cincinnati, Deplagne appeared in 48 matches, compiling 4,053 minutes of action and adding a passing accuracy rate above 80 percent in both seasons. Prior to his time in MLS, the 29-year-old appeared in nearly 120 matches in French professional soccer, the majority coming in Ligue 1.

After making his professional debut in the 2011-12 season with Montpellier, Deplagne and his teammates won the Ligue 1 title the same season. The Pau, France native spent seven seasons with the historic French club before moving to Troyes where he spent two seasons from 2017-19.

While at Montpellier, Deplagne made his UEFA Champions League debut in the 2012-13 season while also making nearly 20 Coup De France appearances throughout his time in professional French soccer.

“It’s very exciting to come to San Antonio,” said Deplagne. “I think I bring experience from France and MLS to the group here. I think I am second-oldest on the roster, so its good to bring what I can to the team. I hope its going to be a great year that ends in success and winning something.”

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