St Etienne have completed the signing of Rennes midfielder Fabien Lemoine on a four-year contract.
Lemoine, 24, joined the Rennes youth set-up as a teenager eight years ago but opted to leave the Route de Lorient to seek more regular first-team football.
Les Verts coach Christophe Galtier told www.asse.fr: "We have followed Fabien for a while. When we knew the door had opened, we quickly contacted Rennes. We had a real desire to bring him to the ASSE.''
Rennes boss Frederic Antonetti admitted he was sorry to see Lemoine, who has been a loyal servant for Rennes, leave.
"Fabien was determined to find more regular playing time,'' he said. "I could not offer that yet.
"I regret it. We know that the move strengthens one of our rivals, but what can we do? Fabien is an exemplary player. We respected his choice.''
