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In looking to the future, Oyonnax have recruited back a former South American player. Manuel Leindekar has signed a two-year-deal to return to Oyonnax from Bayonne. The contract will be for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 seasons.
It is a homecoming of sorts for Leindekar. The Uruguayan trained at Haut-Bugey from the age of 18. He did so as part of the espoirs beginning in 2015. He played for Oyonnax over a five year period beginning in the 2017-2018 season. He moved from Old Boys in Montevideo to Oyonnax in 2017.
Oyonnax’s development of Leindekar coincided with his debut and progress with Los Teros. Leindekar’s test debut came in 2017 against Paraguay. Fast-forward to January, 2024 and the 2.04m
(6ft 8) giant now has 32 test caps.
Leindekar started in the historic Rugby World Cup victory over Fiji in Kamiashi, Japan in 2019. He also started against Georgia in Kumagaya, against Australia in Oita, and against Wales in Kumamoto. The importance of Leindekar to Uruguay was again on full display at Rugby World Cup 2023. He started against France in Lille, against Italy in Nice, in the win over Namibia in Lyon and against New Zealand in Lyon.
Leindekar made 58 appearances for Oyonnax during his first contract with the club. He has since made 28 appearances for Bayonne, whom he joined in 2022.
His return to Oyonnax comes with a wealth of experience; yet, Leindekar is still a young professional rugby player. He is aged 26.
