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Bayonne have confirmed the signature of Manuel Leindekar. The Uruguayan will make the move from Oyonnax to Bayonne during the French off-season. Leindekar has been based in Oyonnax since he was a teenager and qualifies as a JIFF player.
Leindekar turns 25 later this month. Bayonne will be his second professional team and his second team outside of his native Uruguay. He moved from Old Boys in Montevideo to Oyonnax in 2017.
Having gone through the system as an Espoirs player, Leindekar has gone on to become a regular for Oyonnax’s senior team. Oyonnax play in the Pro D2, France’s second division. The Pro D2 is also the current home of Bayonne.
Both Oyonnax and Oyonnax are competing for the right to earn promotion to the Top 14. Both have previous experience in France’s elite competition. Bayonne was relegated last season in extraordinary circumstances. At present Bayonne is 3rd on 81 points and Oyonnax is 2nd on 82. Mont de Marsan lead with 91.
Leindekar has played 14 matches for Oyonnax so far in the 2021-2022 Pro D2 season. Standing 2.04m (6ft8) tall, Leindekar is easily Uruguay’s tallest test match player. He holds down a starting spot in Los Teros’ second-row which include 23 caps. A second Rugby World Cup awaits the Old Boys CLub product in 2023.
There are five regular season matches remaining. In short, both Bayonne and Oyonnax are well placed to compete for a place in the Top 14 next season.
✍️Manuel Leindekar s’engage pour deux saisons (2024).
L’Aviron Bayonnais Rugby Pro est heureux d’annoncer le recrutement pour 2 saisons (2022-2024) de Manuel Leindekar.
📰Plus d'informations dans le journal "L'Essenciel" ce Mercredi. pic.twitter.com/cSS3jdMM7J
— Aviron Bayonnais (@avironrugbypro) April 3, 2022
