In a stunning development, former England U20 standout Joel Kpoku has made headlines by walking away from his contract with French club Section Paloise in the middle of the season. This unexpected move comes a year and a half before his agreement was set to run through 2027, leaving the Top 14 team in a challenging situation.
On Friday, Pau officially announced that Kpoku had requested an immediate release from his contract, marking a sudden conclusion to his 18-month tenure in Béarn. The club, despite the considerable time left on his deal, accepted his request. In their statement, they expressed appreciation for Kpoku’s contributions during his time at the club: “Joel Kpoku has requested to be released with immediate effect from his commitment to the Section. The club has agreed to favourably accede to his request. The Section thanks Joel for his work and dedication during his 18 months in Pau and wishes him the very best for the rest of his career.”
Standing at 6 feet 5 inches and weighing 126 kilograms, Kpoku joined Pau with high hopes after signing a three-year contract designed to last until 2027. However, his time at the club seems to have been marred by dissatisfaction; he has only participated in five matches this season, starting just two of them.
Now a free agent, the 26-year-old, who is the older brother of Junior Kpoku, a player capable of performing in both the second-row and back-row positions, was once heralded as one of the most physically dominant young locks in the Gallagher Premiership. His career took a significant turn when he decided to relocate to France in the winter of 2021, leaving Saracens to join Lyon under the guidance of coach Pierre Mignoni.
Reflecting on his decision to move, Kpoku shared with RugbyPass in 2024: "Various things happened away from the field. I won’t delve into it too deeply, but the main factor that influenced my decision was the interest shown by Lyon's former coach, Pierre Mignoni, who had been keen on bringing me over for quite some time.
"Being fluent in French also made the transition easier for me. I doubt I would have taken the leap if I hadn’t been able to speak the language. Conversations with family and friends encouraged me to embrace the uncertainty and explore what awaited me there. Thankfully, during my first year, I broke through and even helped secure a Challenge Cup victory. It revitalized my career after spending so much time sidelined due to injury at Saracens."
Kpoku's family continues to make waves in rugby; his twin brother Jonathan plays for Albi in the Nationale, while reports suggest that younger brother Junior is set to make a mid-season transfer to Toulon, a team currently led by Joel’s former coach at Lyon, Mignoni. This raises intriguing questions about whether Joel might follow in Junior's footsteps to RCT or perhaps consider a return to the Gallagher Premiership.
What do you think about Kpoku’s mid-season exit? Is it a bold move or a misstep in his career trajectory? Share your thoughts in the comments!
