Raphael Lipinski

Raphaël Lipinski came up through FO Plaisir and AC Boulogne-Billancourt before AJ Auxerre took him on in 2018, signing his first trainee contract that October. He spent two seasons with the reserve side in Championnat National 2, captaining the team in 2022–23 after 42 appearances and a goal, but never made the step up to Auxerre's first team. A free transfer to Rodez AF in the summer of 2023 changed that: he signed a two-year deal that has since been extended to 2028, a sign of how central he has become to the club.

Lipinski has gone on to make more than 70 appearances for Rodez across Ligue 2 and Ligue 1 following the club's promotion, and has worn the captain's armband there. His first professional goal came against Girondins de Bordeaux in March 2024. He ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a pre-season friendly against SC Bastia, an injury that kept him out for an extended spell.

He has represented France at U18, U19 and U20 level, though a senior call-up has not followed. Lipinski, who is of Polish and Congolese descent, has a brother, Éthane, who plays for FC Versailles 78 B.