Julien Masson

Julien Masson is a French midfielder born in Valenciennes on 18 June 1998. He developed with AS Bellignies, US Bavay and AS Aulnoye before joining Valenciennes’ academy in 2010. Masson made his professional debut for Valenciennes against Red Star in Ligue 2 in May 2017 and signed a four-year professional contract later that year. He became a regular during the 2018–19 campaign, making 34 league appearances and receiving La Voix du Nord’s Valenciennes Player of the Year award. A defensive or central midfielder, Masson helps circulate possession, protects passing lanes and can drop between centre-backs to support buildup. He reached 200 league appearances for Valenciennes in February 2025. Masson subsequently joined Sochaux, bringing extensive experience as a deep-lying midfield organiser to his new club.