05.03.2014, 09:50
European champion joins Nantes

NEWS REPORT: France international Igor Anic will leave Cesson Rennes for last season's EHF Cup finalists Nantes in the summer

European champion joins Nantes

Igor Anic, who recently won the EHF EURO 2014 with France, has signed a new contract with Nantes for the next three seasons.

After playing in Montpellier, Kiel and Gummersbach, the 27-year-old wore Cesson Rennes' jersey for the last two seasons and made his debut with the national team in the same period.

“I've had a wonderful time in Cesson, a club which has got a lot of heart and plenty of talents. But in order to keep my place in Claude Onesta's squad, I had to play in a team with higher ambitions and it feels natural to sign a contract with Nantes,” he said.

Anic, who won the Cup Winners' Cup in 2011 with Gummersbach, and was also defeated in the 2012 final with the same team, is eager to return to European Cup competition.

“Of course I have missed it. I want to play in European competitions again and Nantes seems the right place to do so. They played the EHF Cup Finals last year, and they've got ambitions in the same competition this season,” said the line player.

At 27, he still aims to go higher, and does not deny that a lot of teams wanted to sign him.

“I've had contacts in France and Germany, but really, I wanted to play in the EHF Cup at least. Clubs in Germany which contacted me couldn't guarantee that, so I chose not to go back there.

“I wanted a coach who would push me to progress, on both sides of the court. Plus, Nantes is only a few kilometres away from Cesson, so moving the furniture won't be too hard,” explained Anic.

Thierry Anti, Nantes’ head coach, is very happy to welcome such a player in his roster: “Igor is a real fighter and we welcome him with open arms to Nantes. He will bring his quality as well as his experience to our roster, and make the line position stronger in our squad.”

Photo credit: Gaelle Louis

TEXT: Kevin Domas / cor