Middlesbrough have confirmed that Abdoulaye Kante has departed on a loan move to the French club St Etienne, in a deal that includes a clause enabling the Ligue 2 club to sign the midfielder on a permanent basis in the summer.

Abdoulaye Kante will join Saint Etienne on loan. Saint Etienne will have the option to make the loan deal permanent at the end of the season. The permanent transfer option will likely depend on whether Saint Etienne win promotion to Ligue 1 this season.

Abdoulaye Kante, a 20-year-old defensive midfielder from Cote d'Ivoire, has travelled to France to finalize a loan move to St Etienne before Monday’s deadline. St Etienne were interested in signing Kante last January when they were a Ligue 1 side. They did not sign him at that time, but after he had limited game-time at the Riverside this season, they have attempted to sign him again 12 months later. The loan will cover Kante's wage for the rest of the season and is expected to provide him with more regular game-time. Kante, who joined Middlesbrough in July 2025, has made four Championship appearances this season. His contract with the club runs until 2030, and according to Transfermarkt, he has a current market value of €3.00m.