Local left-back acknowledged on international stage
Adrien Truffert, the 24-year-old left-back who has become a fixture in AFC Bournemouth’s side since his move to the south coast, has been reported as receiving a preliminary call-up to France for Zinédine Zidane’s first extended squad, according to French outlet Téléfoot.
The selection underlines the progress the full-back has made after arriving in England last summer. Truffert was a consistent presence for the Cherries in the 2025-26 Premier League campaign, starting all 38 league matches, during which he contributed one goal and five assists. He has also started Bournemouth’s first four league matches in the current season.
Born in Liège and developed through the Stade Rennais academy, Truffert’s senior career prior to joining Bournemouth included nearly 200 appearances in all competitions, returning nine goals and 23 assists for his previous club. Unlike some of the other players on the preliminary list, he is not entirely new to the French national set-up: he has a senior cap appearance to his name, coming on for 25 minutes in a Nations League fixture against Denmark in September 2022.
- Téléfoot reported the preliminary inclusion in Zinédine Zidane’s first extended France squad.
- Truffert was ever-present in Bournemouth’s 2025-26 league campaign: 38 starts, 1 goal, 5 assists.
- He has a prior senior France appearance — 25 minutes vs Denmark in September 2022.
"AFC Bournemouth’s Adrien Truffert (24) is reported to have received a preliminary call-up to the French national team for Zinédine Zidane’s first squad, according to Téléfoot."
For Bournemouth, the reported call-up serves as a reminder of the club’s increasing ability to attract and develop players who can compete at an international level. Supporters in the town have watched Truffert settle into life at Dean Court, where his attacking intent from the left flank and defensive work-rate have marked him out during a season in which Bournemouth retained their Premier League status and looked to build consistency.
Truffert’s pathway from the Stade Rennais academy to the South Coast is one followed by several French players who have sought new challenges in the English game. His near-200 appearances for Rennes — where he accumulated the nine goals and 23 assists noted in his record — provided the platform for his move across the Channel and his immediate integration into Bournemouth’s starting XI.
International recognition would not only be a personal milestone for Truffert but could also have practical implications for Bournemouth. Players gaining international exposure often see heightened attention from across the game, and it can influence squad planning, transfer market valuations and the club’s profile when negotiating fixtures or sponsorship discussions. For local fans, however, it is the simple pleasure of seeing a familiar figure pull on his country’s shirt and represent their town on a larger stage.
| Season/Record | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 Premier League (Bournemouth) | 38 | 1 | 5 |
| Career at Stade Rennais (all comps) | ~200 | 9 | 23 |
Whether the preliminary inclusion becomes a place in Zidane’s final squad remains to be confirmed by the French Football Federation, and Téléfoot’s report is, as yet, the primary source linking Truffert to the selection. But for people in Bournemouth — from those enjoying a coffee by the beach to the supporters who stand behind the goal at Vitality Stadium — there is a sense of local pride at one of their own being recognised on the international stage.
Should Truffert make the final squad, it will be another chapter in a short but eventful Bournemouth tenure that has seen him become a dependable option at left-back and a player who can contribute going forward. For now, the town will watch and hope that a home-grown feeling on the south coast is repaid with the blue of France.
