French club FC Nantes have moved to secure one of their brightest young prospects, with defender Tylel Tati signing a contract extension that will keep him at the club until 2030.
The 18-year-old, who is of Senegalese and Congolese descent, had attracted attention from several leading European clubs, including Chelsea FC and Paris Saint-Germain, before committing his future to the Ligue 1 side.
Nantes’ decision to extend Tati’s deal reflects both his rapid rise and the club’s determination to retain emerging talent amid growing external interest.
Having joined the senior setup this season, the young defender has already made 20 appearances in all competitions, including 19 in Ligue 1, underlining his importance to the team despite his age.
Tati’s breakthrough campaign began under former coach Luis Castro, who handed him his first-team opportunity.
Although he briefly fell out of favour, he later regained his place in the starting line-up following managerial changes, going on to feature consistently in the 2025–26 season.
His performances have drawn praise not only from within the club but also from former Senegal international Mohamed Adama Sarr, who believes the decision to remain at Nantes is a sensible step in the player’s development.
“In this kind of situation, clubs, usually mid-table Ligue 1 teams, as soon as they have a promising young player who is proving his worth, the first thing they do is secure his future.
“Contracts for players under 18 are often precarious. As soon as they play a certain number of matches, the policy is to offer them a new contract with a salary increase.”
Born in France, Tati represents the country at youth level but has strong African roots, with family ties to both Senegal and the Republic of Congo.
His background reflects a broader trend of dual-nationality players emerging in European football, many of whom maintain close connections to the African continent.
His football journey began at US Roissy-en-Brie, where his father, Sambou “Bijou” Tati, played a significant role as club president.
The elder Tati also coached future France star Paul Pogba during his youth career, highlighting the strong footballing environment in which the defender developed.
With Nantes preparing for their next Ligue 1 fixture, the club will hope Tati continues his upward trajectory.
For the player, the contract extension represents both security and an opportunity to further establish himself before potentially making a move to one of Europe’s elite clubs in the future.
