Stephan Zagadou, 17, makes Le Havre history with first Ligue 1 goal and mature display | OneFootball

Stephan Zagadou, 17, struck his first Ligue 1 goal and impressed in Le Havre’s 2-1 win over Strasbourg on Sunday, setting fresh marks for club and continent.

According to L'Équipe, Le Havre are shielding the under-18 from media requests, and he turns 18 on 24 October.

At 17 years and 107 days, the centre-back headed the opener from a corner to become Le Havre’s youngest Ligue 1 scorer since 1947-48, and the first defender born in 2008 or later to score in Europe’s top five leagues. Martial Godo later equalised before the match finished 2-1.

With Gautier Lloris only just back from a hamstring issue, coach Didier Digard started Zagadou and felt he was ready and focused, qualities he said can sometimes elude the teenager. Digard praised his defending and duels against a tough opponent.

Zagadou’s composure stood out. He committed three fouls, the most for a Havre player, could have cleared better for Godo’s goal, yet lost only one ball and made six clearances, a team high.

The France U18 international already has three Ligue 1 starts, including a debut at 17 years and five days that made him Le Havre’s youngest top-flight starter since 1947-48.

He joined at 14 from Créteil and signed his first professional deal on 21 October, with older brother Dan-Axel of Stuttgart present. Former academy chief François Rodrigues, now Hervé Renard’s assistant in Saudi Arabia, said Dan-Axel helped steer him to Le Havre amid PSG and Monaco interest, adding the club can be proud, that Zagadou may move on in time, and that he would not be far from France selection later. He is under contract until 2028.

Source: L'Équipe