Lucas Gourna has officially ended his loan spell at Le Havre AC and returned to Red Bull Salzburg, the French club confirmed on Thursday. The 22-year-old midfielder proved instrumental in helping the Normandy side retain their Ligue 1 status during the second half of the campaign.
Key role in survival battle
Gourna arrived at Le Havre from the Austrian champions during the winter transfer window and immediately became a fixture in Didier Digard’s starting eleven. The former AS Saint-Étienne prospect started 14 of the 15 fixtures he contested, establishing himself as a vital component of the squad as they fought to avoid the drop.
His consistent displays in midfield provided the stability required to secure the points necessary for survival, with the French Under-21 international featuring prominently in the run-in. His departure leaves Digard with a significant gap to fill in the engine room ahead of the new season.
Salzburg return and contract situation
Now back in Austria, Gourna faces a decisive period in his career. The midfielder, who has earned three caps for France at Under-21 level, remains tied to Red Bull Salzburg on a contract that runs until June 2027. However, he must now convince manager Thomas Letsch to reintegrate him into the first-team setup or negotiate a permanent move to secure regular football.
Since transferring to Salzburg from Saint-Étienne in the summer of 2022, the player born in Villeneuve-Saint-Georges has accumulated 95 appearances for the club, scoring twice and providing five assists. He was part of the squad that clinched the Austrian Bundesliga title.
Prior to his switch to Austrian football, Gourna developed through various youth setups in the Paris region before graduating from the Saint-Étienne academy. With two years remaining on his Salzburg deal, the coming weeks will determine whether he forces his way into Letsch’s plans or departs permanently.