Nicolas Pays, a 21-year-old attacking midfielder, has signed his first professional contract with Montpellier, a club in Ligue 1. He previously played in National 2 and was noticed by Montpellier during the 32nd round of the Coupe de France, where his team Le Puy lost 4-0. He will wear number 18 at MHSC.

Nicolas Pays, a 21-year-old playmaker hailing from Le Puy, is on the verge of joining Montpellier. His performance stood out during a Coupe de France match between Le Puy and Montpellier, where the team from Auvergne achieved a commanding 4-0 win in the 32nd final, drawing the attention of Jean-Louis Gasset. Having played in R1 just a year and a half ago, Pays' swift rise has now put him on Montpellier's radar, a club currently navigating a very tight budget this transfer window. L’Equipe reports that this transfer is part of Montpellier's plan to bolster their team with promising talent from National 2, amid other notable changes such as Téji Savanier's departure and Andy Delort's anticipated arrival.