Grégoire Defrel

Grégoire André Defrel (born 17 June 1991) is a French professional footballer who plays as a forward for Serie B club Modena.

Grégoire Defrel

Personal information
Full name	Grégoire André Defrel[1]
Date of birth	(1991-06-17) 17 June 1991 (age 34)
Place of birth	Meudon, France
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[2]
Position(s)	Forward
Team information
Current team	Modena
Number	92
Youth career
	SCM Châtillon
2009–2011	Parma[3]
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2011–2012	Parma	1	(0)
2011–2012	→ Foggia (loan)	23	(4)
2012–2015	Cesena	102	(15)
2015–2018	Sassuolo	62	(19)
2017–2018	→ Roma (loan)	15	(1)
2018–2020	Roma	0	(0)
2018–2019	→ Sampdoria (loan)	36	(11)
2019–2020	→ Sassuolo (loan)	17	(3)
2020–2024	Sassuolo	113	(8)
2024–	Modena	26	(3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17 May 2025

Club career

Parma

Defrel joined Parma in 2009, and made his debut for the club as a substitute at the age of 19 on 22 May 2011, in the final game of the 2010–11 Serie A season in a dead rubber against Cagliari, a match that ended 1–1.

Cesena

In June 2012, Cesena and Parma made a series of cashless player swaps, in which Defrel (€1.2 million) and Gianluca Lapadula (€1.4 million) went to Cesena, whilst Andrea Rossini (€1.6 million) and Nicola Del Pivo (€1.0 million) went to Parma. Both clubs retained 50% registration rights.^[4][5] In June 2013 and June 2014, Defrel's co-ownership was renewed. Despite Parma going bankrupted and failing to find a new buyer on 25 June 2015, Cesena submitted a bid of reported €51,000 to Lega Serie A to solve the co-ownership in favour of Cesena, despite the club not being required to do so.^[6]

Sassuolo

On 5 August 2015, Sassuolo announced that they had signed Defrel from Cesena for an undisclosed fee.^[7] He was given the number 92 shirt.

Roma

On 20 July 2017, Defrel re-joined former manager Eusebio Di Francesco at Roma on loan, for €5 million loan fee, with an obligation to make the transfer permanent for an additional €15 million (plus €3 million bonuses) should certain sporting targets be met.^[8] At the same time, Sassuolo signed Roma youth products Davide Frattesi and Riccardo Marchizza as part of the deal,^[9] for a total fee of €8 million.^[10]

Sampdoria (loan)

On 27 July 2018, Defrel joined Sampdoria on a season-long loan with the option to buy from Roma.^[11]

Sassuolo return (loan)

On 30 August 2019, Defrel returned to Sassuolo on a season-long loan deal.^[12]

Modena

On 7 August 2024, Defrel joined Serie B club Modena on a two-year contract.^[13]

International career

In May 2019, Defrel was named to Martinique's provisional squad for the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup.^[1] However, he was dropped from the final roster.^[14]

Style of play

A fine dribbler, Defrel has been compared to compatriot Jérémy Ménez.^[15]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 1 April 2024^[16]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			Coppa Italia		Europe		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Parma	2010–11	Serie A	1	0	0	0	0	0	–		1	0
Foggia	2011–12	Lega Pro	23	4	1	0	–		–		24	4
Cesena	2012–13	Serie B	30	3	0	0	–		–		30	3
	2013–14		38	3	2	0	–		4[a]	1	44	4
	2014–15	Serie A	34	9	2	0	–		–		36	9
	Total		102	15	4	0	–		4	1	110	16
Sassuolo	2015–16	Serie A	33	7	2	0	–		–		35	7
	2016–17		29	12	1	0	8[b]	4	–		38	16
	Total		62	19	3	0	8	4	–		73	23
Roma	2017–18	Serie A	15	1	0	0	5[c]	0	–		20	1
Sampdoria (loan)	2018–19	Serie A	36	11	3	1	–		–		39	12
Sassuolo (loan)	2019–20	Serie A	17	3	0	0	–		–		17	3
Sassuolo	2020–21	Serie A	28	3	0	0	–		–		28	3
	2021–22		38	2	2	0	–		–		40	2
	2022–23		27	2	1	0	–		–		28	2
	2023–24		16	1	2	0	–		–		18	1
	Total		109	8	5	0	–		–		114	8
Career total			365	61	16	1	13	4	4	1	398	67

1. Appearances in Serie B promotion play-offs
2. Appearances in UEFA Europa League
3. Appearances in UEFA Champions League