“Without the United States, I would have ended my career”, former MHR and Usap player Kélian Galletier signs with New Orleans
|Kélian Galletier va découvrir le championnat américain à partir de janvier 2025. Jean-Michel Mart
The international third line (6 selections) trained at MHR and free since the end of his contract with Usap last June, will sign at 32 years old, with the American franchise of the New Orleans Golds for a new experience. He confides.
You are going to sign in the United States, how did this project come about ?
Two years ago, I went to see the United States a little, because I was coming out of my difficult year with concussions and I felt that in Montpellier, I had covered the issue. I had the opportunity to sign with Usap. But I had kept contacts, which I relaunched in March, when my contract with Perpignan ended. We talked with my partner, and the few contacts I had in France, did not make me want to. At 32, when you go into projects in Pro D2, especially building a club, to try to move up, it takes 2 or 3 seasons, so I did not project myself into that. And I always had this desire to go elsewhere, to evolve or even live abroad, which I had not had the opportunity to do in my life. It was quite complex, because we are not on the same timings, the same championship rhythms. They needed time to finish the season, and to know the needs they had. It was through the intermediary of Thierry Daupin from Nîmes, who is one of the investors in New Orleans, and one of the founders of the American League (Major League Rugby, MLR) that the opportunity was created and materialized.
Exciting times ahead! NOLA Gold Rugby is thrilled to announce the signing of French rugby star Kélian Galletier through the 2026 season! 👑🏉
With his impressive competitive background, Kélian is bringing his exceptional talent and leadership from the south of France to the city… pic.twitter.com/Zb0PyNeoOC
— NOLA Gold Rugby (@nolagoldrugby) October 14, 2024
Have you asked yourself the question of ending your career ?
Yes. Honestly, if I hadn't had the United States, I would have stopped. I realized pretty quickly that it was over in France.
Also read: The story of a Nîmes native who participated in the creation of rugby union in the United States
The French have a place there
So you're signing with the New Orleans Gold for the season that starts next January. How did that come about??
I had several contacts, a lot of exchanges. It's Nicolas Gaudignon (former coach of Brive and Pau in particular) who is the sports director there, who leads the project and who had an interest in me, especially for my experience. This MLR is getting stronger every year, it really has very good potential. They also have the objective of organizing the World Cup in 2031, to structure the whole country in relation to its rugby culture. Personally, it's interesting to see, in terms of enrichment, to see how they work. This League is a bit like this country, that is to say that it welcomes many nationalities, there are many New Zealanders, there are South Africans, especially in Houston, in Miami, there are the Argentinians, it is very heterogeneous. Whether it is Thierry or Nico, they tell me that France should take its place in this League, and the French too. It is true that it is a great opportunity for me to work on this, and I am convinced that we should not hesitate, that the French also have a place there.
What do you expect in terms of rugby already, and then in terms of life ?
In terms of rugby, I followed last season, because there is an application called Rugby Network, where all the matches are live and even in replay, and for free. It allowed me to watch. The League already has a good level. There are differences in level, between players and between teams, but it is really a developing League, but which already has Top 14 level players. It goes from the Top 14 to the National in fact, so there too it is very broad. It is multicultural, there are many nationalities, very good New Zealand players in particular, who play in the fall in New Zealand, they come to play in the United States during the spring period. It raises the level of the championship.
I'm in the best shape of my career
Since the end of the season with Usap, what have you done ? Have you talked ?
I took advantage of these 6 months to do a lot of things that I hadn't been able to do before and on my development, thanks to my physical trainer, Michel Pradet. We worked together my entire career. We gave ourselves 6 months to develop my weak points, and I think I'm in the best shape of my entire career. I can focus on my physical condition today, because I have 15 years of rugby behind me, and I know that I'll quickly get it back. The most important thing for me are these points. And I also allow myself a few things, I went to register in a handball team, near my home to keep a little agility, a little team work and I even did a triathlon.
I try to do things differently, and I see that it suits me well too. Obviously, we will have a preparation when we start on January 6, and that will allow me very quickly to try to work on rugby again. The level is still good and then it's my reputation, I'm an international player there, so I want to arrive ready.
It's also a new life experience for you.
My partner and I are very interested in discovering this country, this city too, which has a very strong history, and living there. It's so enriching to open up like that. It's great, we're both really into it, and we intend to try to make the most of it.
How long have you signed up for??
The season is from January to June, and everything takes place over six months, and I signed for 2025 and 2026. So each time, we have these six months of downtime. For now, I'm not planning any further. For now, we're in the process of going there, and it's already quite complex, between the visas, and preparing everything, seeing where we're going to live, etc.
I'm proud of my career
When is the departure planned for ?
I'm starting on January 6th with the Gold for preparation. We'll most certainly leave a week before, between December and January, for the New Year period. The organization is great, by the club and even the league, because they take care of the house, the car, it's included in the contracts. The contracts are managed by a salary cap. They really want to make this country prosper in terms of rugby. They've framed things so that rugby continues to develop in the right direction. There are quite a few things that are taken care of, we are helped anyway. Franchises are organized to help with all these administrative matters.
Does it feel like turning this French page of the Top 14 ?
Yes, the luck I have is that I finished well. That was my goal. With Usap, we are happy with the way it ended. We would have liked to have qualified last year, but I think that, given our season, we have already had some great moments. Personally, I proved what I had to prove for this club, and to finish my career. It is still important, because I believe that I am leaving without regret or bitterness. I tell myself that it was the right time. I could have ended up with a blank season, or an injury, it would have been harder to swallow, I think. Now, it's really over. I have no regrets. Maybe it's because I'm looking forward to New Orleans, and I know I'm going to play. In the meantime, I'm following the Top 14 matches a little with pleasure.
What will you remember from your career in the Top 14?
It's difficult. You always tell yourself that you could have done better. But looking back, I have no regrets. I gave 120% of what I had. I still believe that I was lucky enough to experience a lot of things, whether it was playing for France, winning titles, playing in my hometown, having been in this club for a long time, having known Usap and this historic club, its fervor. I could have made different choices. They might have been very good, but they might also have been less good. And looking back, I'm very happy with my career. Frankly, I'm very proud of it.