RC Lens are close to signing Mathieu Gorgelin on a six-month contract. The 35-year-old French goalkeeper has been a free agent since leaving Le Havre last summer. Reports say the deal is in the final stages. Lens need cover after their first-choice keeper, Régis Gurtner, picked up a long-term injury.
Gorgelin brings plenty of experience. He started his career at Lyon, where he spent over a decade. He made around 30 first-team appearances there, mostly as backup. He won the Coupe de France in 2012.
Later he moved to Le Havre in 2019. He played regularly in Ligue 2 and helped them get promoted. In Ligue 1 he shared duties but showed reliability when called on. Last season he kept several clean sheets before his contract ended.
Lens moved fast on this one. Gurtner suffered a serious knee problem in training late last year. He faces months out. The club has Brice Samba as the main keeper, but they want a solid number two.
Hervé Koffi is the current backup, but coaches feel they need more depth for the busy schedule. Gorgelin fits because he knows French football well and can step in right away.
The contract runs until the end of the season. No option to extend has been mentioned yet. Gorgelin stayed fit during his spare time. He trained with clubs to keep sharp.
At 35 he still has good reflexes and commands his box well. His height helps with crosses. He speaks calmly in interviews and seems like a steady presence in the dressing room.
Lens sit in the top half of Ligue 1. They push for European spots again. Home games at the Bollaert-Delelis stadium draw big crowds. The atmosphere there is known across France. Gorgelin would get to play in front of passionate fans if he gets minutes.
This signing shows Lens’s plan carefully. They lost some players in summer but kept a strong core. Manager Will Still likes experienced heads around the squad. Gorgelin could mentor younger keepers too. The club has a good record with short-term deals. They often bring in players who contribute straight away.
No official announcement yet. But sources close to the negotiations say medical tests could happen soon. If all goes well, Gorgelin joins training next week. He might even be on the bench for the next league game.
Fans seem okay with the move. Online comments call it sensible. Many remember Gorgelin from his Lyon days. A few say he is a safe pair of hands. Others hope for a younger option long-term. But for now, it solves an immediate problem.
Gorgelin has played over 200 professional games. He knows what it takes to compete at this level. Moving to Lens gives him a chance to add another chapter. The club gets a reliable pro without big spending.
This deal looks straightforward. It helps both sides. Lens covers their injury gap. Gorgelin gets back into top-flight football. Watch for confirmation in the coming days.
