Trained at Nancy and earning his reputation at Valenciennes, Adrien Tameze is preparing to discover the top-flight with OGC Nice this season. A presentation of the new smiley Nice midfielder.

With his boyhood club, Adrien Tameze had to put up with cup matches (including a last 32 tie in the Coupe de France at the Ray, lost by the Niçois 2-2, 2-4 on penalties). Not kept on in Lorraine, he was unemployed, until he joined the reserves at Valenciennes and imposed himself as a key element of the squad: “I lacked maturity at the time, explains the 23 year old midfielder. It was a period that allowed me to grow up. I came back well with Valenciennes and I need to carry on in that way.”

“I was the first one to be surprised by the Gym’s interest in me, continued the new number 5. I was very happy and flattered. I followed OGC Nice closely, and they have grown stronger each year. They are one of the most pleasant teams to watch. It was important for me to join a team that plays with the ball. I am also joining up with some friends here, Alassane (Plea), Arnaud (Lusamba) and Rémi (Walter).”

Adrien Tameze, prononcez "TA-MÉ-ZÉ" pic.twitter.com/ms3yPszMuO

— OGC Nice (@ogcnice) 22 juin 2017

Like many Aiglons before him, Tameze will make the change from Ligue 2 to the top-flight: “I am expecting a difference in terms of intensity and impact in the duels. But I am not particularly worried. I will make the steps up, one after the other. I know that if I work, I will progress here.”

Jean-Pierre Rivère’s take:

“Adrien had been scouted for a while. We are delighted he is joining us. He is lucky to join a nice club with a very good coach who, I am sure, will help him grow and improve, because he still has a long career ahead of him. When you find a player who has potential, it doesn’t matter where they are playing, be it Ligue 1, Ligue 2 or abroad. What I like, is that they have a head on their shoulders.”

Lucien Favre’s take:

“He is a quality player. We will need to work on certain areas, we have already spoken about them together. He has potential to be developed. It will take time. But the most important thing is the potential, and a desire to improve. For him, it’s a big step to move from Valenciennes to Nice. He has unquestionable qualities. He is very interesting to watch. His position? He is a central midfielder, who can play at 6 or 8.”

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