RCS Anderlecht have completed the signing of defender Léo Pétrot from Spanish side Elche CF, the Belgian club announced on Thursday. The 29-year-old French centre-back has signed a two-year contract that runs until 2028.
Pétrot arrives in Brussels following a single season in Spain, where he made 21 starts in 36 appearances across all competitions for Elche. His performances helped the Castilian club secure their place in La Liga after a challenging campaign.
Saint-Étienne academy product
Born in Firminy, Pétrot developed through the renowned youth academy at AS Saint-Étienne. After early stints with Andrézieux-Bouthéon and FC Lorient—where he made 23 appearances during the 2021–22 campaign—he returned to his formative club in the summer of 2022.
The defender quickly established himself as a regular starter for Les Verts, accumulating 99 appearances for the club. His most influential season came in 2023–24, when he featured in 38 matches and played a pivotal role in Saint-Étienne’s promotion back to Ligue 1.
That campaign included a memorable contribution in the promotion play-offs, where Pétrot scored a crucial goal against FC Metz to help secure his side’s return to the French top flight.
Defensive reinforcement for Anderlecht
The move to Anderlecht represents a new chapter for the experienced defender, who brings top-flight experience from both France and Spain to Les Mauves et Blancs. His versatility and aerial presence are expected to bolster the squad’s defensive options as they compete in the Belgian Pro League and European competition.
Pétrot becomes the latest addition to the Anderlecht roster as the club continues to reshape its defensive unit ahead of the new season. The two-year deal offers the Belgian giants security in the position whilst allowing the player to prove himself in one of European football’s historic leagues.