AJ Auxerre named one of the pitches at their training centre after former player Eric Cantona during a ceremony on Saturday morning.
Before going on to represent Olympique de Marseille, Montpellier HSC, Nîmes Olympique, Leeds United and Manchester United, Cantona came through the ranks at Auxerre. He came through the ranks at the club in the early 1980s, going on to make 99 appearances for the first team scoring 30 goals between 1983 and 1988.
Cantona is currently preparing a musical show in the French town, and during a ceremony, his impact at the club was recognised. Emblematic former manager Guy Roux was present at the ceremony as one of the pitches at Auxerre’s training centre was named after the former Leeds and Manchester United forward.
Cantona went on to represent France on 45 occasions, and he scored 20 goals during that time. In an interview, transcribed by L’Équipe, Cantona paid tribute to his former club, on a day that they paid tribute to him. “Auxerre is a town that really mattered to me. AJA are my family. I experienced some very intense moments here that helped me grow. That a club from a small town in Europe is still at the top after so many years is exceptional,” said Cantona.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
