Mauritanian-French defensive midfielder Bahmed Deuff has joined Belgian club Royal Antwerp from FC Nantes on loan, completing a move from Ligue 2 to the Jupiler Pro League.
The 20-year-old, who was born in Nouakchott, has joined Antwerp on a deal running until 30 June 2027. No transfer fee has been disclosed for the move.
Deuff made three Ligue 2 appearances for Nantes during the 2026-27 season before switching clubs, playing 108 minutes in total. He started one of those matches and was shown one yellow card, but did not score or provide an assist.
The 1.94m midfielder is right-footed and primarily operates in a defensive midfield role. His move to Belgium provides a change of league after he had established himself in Nantes’ senior set-up.
Deuff joined Nantes’ first team from the club’s reserve side in July 2025, having previously progressed through the French club’s academy structure. He moved from Nantes Under-19s to Nantes B in July 2024 and had earlier been part of the club’s Under-17 team.
His development at Nantes began in 2021, when he joined the club’s youth set-up. He has therefore spent his senior and academy career in the Nantes system before making the move abroad to Royal Antwerp.
The transfer also links Deuff with a club competing in Belgium’s top division. Antwerp have registered him after his early-season Ligue 2 involvement with Nantes, with the player now contracted to remain at the Belgian club for the duration of the loan.
Deuff holds Mauritanian and French nationality and arrives at Royal Antwerp as a young defensive midfielder with senior experience in France. His loan spell is scheduled to conclude on 30 June 2027, when he is due to return to FC Nantes.
