Saint-Étienne women promote four U19s as academy pathway is prioritised | OneFootball

Saint-Étienne women have promoted four teenagers from last season’s U19s to the first-team squad this summer. According to Le Progres, the move reflects a renewed emphasis on homegrown talent.

Noélie Chovin, a U17 Euro finalist in May, hails from Saint-Priest-en-Jarez. The defender captained the U19s last term and will turn 17 on 27 August.

Playmaker Emmy Ganne, 17, fits the number 10 role and began in Isère with Football Côte Saint-André and US La Murette. Laura Quily, 17, an attacker by trade, has been used in defence this summer after joining Saint-Étienne at 12, following spells with Champdieu and Union sportive Ecotay Moingt.

Winger Sara Mujdzic, 17, started at Sauveteurs Brivadois before Le Puy-en-Velay FC, then joined Saint-Étienne in 2024. Capped by Bosnia and Herzegovina, she started all three group matches at the U19 Euro this summer after a first U17 call-up in June.

Mujdzic did not feature in pre-season, while Ganne, Chovin and Quily played in four friendlies. Each completed a half against Montpellier and Grenoble, then logged about 20 minutes against Marseille and Auxerre, giving coach Yannick Chandioux a clearer view of their level.

Chandioux says the quartet will train with the seniors almost full time, aiming to embed development in daily work and keep the pathway open. He plans to add a fifth youngster, goalkeeper Maelly Buisson, 18, formed at Paris FC, who joined the U19s this summer and will act as third choice with the pros.

The squad has also been bolstered by two forwards, Jalia Chabourine, 20, from Le Mans, noted for her pace, and Hanna’a Chamsoudine, 19, from Reims, a Comoros international who previously featured for PSG.

Source: Le Progres

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