'The best player on the planet!' - Kylian Mbappe backed to lift Caen to 'elite' level and instill his 'winning culture' after Real Madrid star's €20m takeover of Ligue 2 club

The French forward will pay just under €20 million (£17m/$22m) to secure 80 per cent of the shares in Caen. The remaining shares, valued at €5m (£4m/$5m), will be held by Pierre-Antin Capton. This financial injection is expected to provide Caen with much-needed stability and resources to compete at higher levels.

Interestingly, this isn't the first time Mbappe has been associated with Caen. According to Le Parisien, as a youngster, he was on the verge of signing for the club, which had recognised his immense potential early on. Mbappe's family viewed Caen as a nurturing environment conducive to his development. However, the deal fell through when Caen faced relegation from Ligue 1, altering the trajectory of Mbappe's career.

Patrice Garande, the iconic coach who led Caen from 2012 to 2018, expressed his astonishment and excitement over the news. He remarked to Le Parisien: “Honestly, people had been talking to me about it for a month, but I didn’t believe it. This is extraordinary news. First of all, obviously, for the financial guarantees that come with it. But also for the club's image. Being associated with the name of the best player on the planet is necessarily a considerable springboard. We know Kylian's ambition, his winning culture. If he comes here, it's not on a whim, it's clearly to win, and therefore build a group that allows this club to return to the elite.”

The wave of pride and optimism in Caen is widespread as Aristide Olivier, the mayor of Caen, who previously served as the deputy for sports, also expressed his delight.

"It's a source of immense pride for all Normans and a fantastic opportunity for our beloved club," he said. "It is first of all a recognition of the quality of the training to which we are so attached. And Kylian Mbappe's team that I met at the beginning of the week totally reassured me on this point. They are absolutely not coming to make a splash but on the contrary to perpetuate the future of Stade Malherbe at the highest level, by respecting the spirit of the club, the attachment to training, but also its family dimension. I feel to what extent this is a deep commitment and in no way a publicity stunt. Nevertheless, why hide it, it is necessarily a change of dimension for the club, even if we should not demand an immediate magic effect. High-level sport is never a snap of the fingers."

Despite the unlikelihood of Mbappe being a frequent presence in Normandy, he has already started shaping the club’s future. Ziad Hammoud, a trusted associate, is set to take a prominent role in managing the club. Additionally, Mbappe’s father, Wilfrid, may also be involved in an advisory capacity.

With a dedicated fan base even in Ligue 2, Caen presents a unique opportunity for Mbappe to invest in French football. They sincerely hope that Mbappe's involvement will herald a new era for the club, ushering in financial stability and a winning mentality.