Mathieu Cafaro Joins Paris FC: Major Boost for Ligue 2 Promotion Hopes

• by Arlen Fitzpatrick
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Mathieu Cafaro Switches Green for Blue: What His Paris FC Move Means

It’s official: Mathieu Cafaro is now a Paris FC player. After a busy January window, the 27-year-old winger agreed to a transfer from AS Saint-Étienne, sealing another chapter in his career. Cafaro’s move comes at a crucial time, with Paris FC chasing promotion as Ligue 2’s runners-up. Bringing in a proven talent isn’t just a minor roster shuffle – it’s a clear statement of intent for a club desperate for a top-flight return.

Cafaro has been a consistent presence since arriving at Saint-Étienne in 2022. Over two and a half seasons, he notched up 87 appearances, scoring 10 goals and delivering 10 assists. That’s a solid level of output for a winger, blending attacking flair with work-rate, especially in a division where consistency isn’t easy to find. If you watched Saint-Étienne lately, you’d have noticed his involvement drop. With the coaching staff opting for Augustine Boakye and the on-loan Irvin Cardona out wide, Cafaro slipped down the pecking order. With just 18 months left on his contract and game time getting scarce, he needed a new challenge — and Paris FC offered it.

The switch was finalized on February 2, 2025, and came at the perfect moment for Paris FC’s ambitions. The club sits in second place behind FC Lorient, and the race for automatic promotion is tighter than ever. Cafaro brings not just experience from Ligue 2 but also valuable versatility. He’s comfortable on either flank and smart enough to adapt to different roles under pressure. For Paris FC’s head coach, this adds depth and tactical options – a luxury most promotion contenders crave as the season grinds on.

What does this mean for Saint-Étienne? Well, Les Verts lose a player who’s been reliable, but they’ve clearly decided to move in a different direction with younger or more dynamic options. The club made sure to thank Cafaro publicly, highlighting his professionalism and commitment during his stay. But football rarely stops for sentiment. Saint-Étienne is looking at a squad refresh while also trimming the wage bill ahead of another possible season in Ligue 2 if promotion proves elusive.

For Paris FC fans, there’s hope that Cafaro’s experience and hunger to prove himself can tip the balance in those make-or-break fixtures coming up. He’s already shown he can handle the pressure and rhythms of Ligue 2 football. Whether he becomes the missing piece in Paris FC’s promotion puzzle will play out over the coming months, but for now, the club has made one of the more interesting moves of the winter transfer window.

Why Cafaro’s Experience Matters Right Now

It’s not just about numbers with Cafaro – though his 10 goals and 10 assists for Saint-Étienne are hard to ignore. What Paris FC gets is someone who’s played under pressure, dealt with the scrutiny of big home crowds, and knows how to grind out results in a demanding league. The club knows that experience is gold, especially in the run-in when nerves start to take hold and every touch matters.

Paris FC has made a statement: they’re not settling for a play-off spot. With someone like Cafaro in the mix, the team adds more dynamism to their attack, someone who can unlock a defense on a bad day or whip in a cross when the strikers need service. The fact that Saint-Étienne let him go permanently, rather than on loan, shows both sides saw this transfer as a clean break and a chance to move forward.