Here BBC Sport Online profiles five of the top headline-makers:

Rigobert Song: The latest addition to Lens' African contingent completed his move from West Ham just after the World Cup.

He had been on loan at Cologne for much of last season, having struggled in England with both West Ham and, before them, Liverpool.

But the Cameroonian is grittier than a sandstorm in a quarry, and if anyone can help Lens recover from last season's title capitulation it will be him.

Shabani Nonda: Monaco's DR Congo striker was referred to as the 'new George Weah' during his first season with the south coast giants, having signed from Rennes for a club record $26.5m as a replacement for David Trezuguet.

But last season was a nightmare all round for his club, who finished up battling in the relegation dogfight - and Nonda's lapses in form did not help.

He will be looking for much better this time around - not least because he may well find his place in the side threatened by Senegal's young starlet, 19-year-old Soulymane Camara.

Salomon Olembe: Marseille hoped for a lot from Olembe when they secured him from Nantes at the start of last season.

But while he didn't quite prove the inspiration to secure the club a place back in the elite of French clubs, he is still only 21 and his great pace and dazzling skills make him the sort of player that can be the key to a successful side.

That said, he seriously underperformed at the World Cup and will want a good season to put the disappointment of Cameroon's early exit behind him.

Henri Camara: Unquestionably one of the stars of the World Cup, Sedan's Senegalese striker has formed a terrific partnership with El Hadji Diouf at international level.

Indeed, when he was left out of the BBC African World Cup XI, one emailer was moved to write that "a team without Camara is like a flower without a scent."

Sedan remain one of France's most surprising sides, but how long they can hang on to Camara is a big question - especially since they have already lost his compatriot Salif Diao to Liverpool.

Khalilou Fadiga: For the moment Fadiga remains an Auxerre player, although his performances for Senegal at the World Cup have meant he has been linked with moves to Internatzionale and Liverpool.

The left-winger at times is one of the most exciting players to watch in the world.