Nolan Galves has agreed a four-year contract with West Bromwich Albion, journalist Sacha Tavolieri reports. The 23-year-old French defender is poised to swap Ligue 2 for the Championship following a standout season with Rodez AF.
Galves began his career in the youth ranks at FC Sochaux-Montbéliard, progressing to make 32 senior appearances for his hometown club. He joined Rodez in the summer of 2024 and quickly became a mainstay in Didier Santini’s side, featuring 36 times across all competitions during the 2025-26 campaign.
The young defender proved particularly effective going forward, providing eight assists as Rodez challenged for promotion. His contributions helped the club secure a spot in the Ligue 1 promotion play-offs, demonstrating his ability to perform in high-stakes matches. These displays have now earned him a move to English football.
Historical context
Galves would become only the fourth Frenchman to represent West Bromwich Albion at professional level should the transfer proceed. The Montbéliard-born player would follow in the footsteps of Morgan Amalfitano, Nicolas Anelka and Yann M’Vila, adding to a select group of his compatriots who have played for the Midlands club.
Transfer progression
Although West Bromwich Albion have yet to confirm the deal officially, the agreement on personal terms represents a significant milestone. The move would see Galves transition from the French second tier to one of the most competitive leagues in Europe, with the Championship renowned for its physical demands and congested fixture schedule.
Rodez will lose a key creative outlet from their back line, with Galves having started 31 of his 36 appearances last season. West Bromwich Albion, meanwhile, will hope the defender can replicate the attacking threat he demonstrated in France, where his eight assists marked him out as one of Ligue 2’s more progressive defenders.