RC Lens have secured the signature of midfielder Michaël Cuisance from Hertha BSC. The French club paid €5 million to acquire the 26-year-old, who has signed a four-year contract running until 2030.
Cuisance becomes Dino Toppmöller’s first summer signing as Lens prepare for their return to the UEFA Champions League. The northern French side finished second in Ligue 1 last season, earning automatic qualification for the group stage of Europe’s premier club competition.
The deal addresses an immediate need in Lens’s midfield following the departure of Adrien Thomasson. The influential playmaker left the club upon the expiry of his contract to join rival Ligue 1 opposition, creating a vacancy that Cuisance is expected to fill.
Homecoming for Former Marseille Man
This transfer marks Cuisance’s return to French football after his spell with the Berlin-based Bundesliga side. The midfielder previously wore the colours of Olympique de Marseille, one of France’s most storied clubs, before making the switch to Hertha BSC, where he was tied to a long-term contract until 2029.
At 26, Cuisance arrives with experience in two of Europe’s major leagues. He will wear the number 27 shirt for Les Sang et Or as he looks to establish himself in Dino Toppmöller’s starting eleven.
Champions League Challenge
Lens’s qualification for the Champions League group stage represents their first appearance in the competition in over two decades. The club last featured at this level during the 2002-03 campaign, making this summer’s recruitment crucial for their ambitions.
Competing on multiple fronts will test the depth of Toppmöller’s squad. The acquisition of Cuisance provides the manager with additional tactical flexibility and quality as Lens aim to balance domestic duties with the demands of continental football.
The transfer reflects Lens’s determination to maintain their status among France’s elite clubs while mounting a credible challenge in European competition.