Lyon president Jean Michel Aulas has reached an agreement with Nice for left-back Fabian Monzon, while the seven-time French champions have also signed Steed Malbranque.

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Monzon, 25, only arrived in Ligue 1 last summer after moving to Nice from Boca Juniors but impressed in his debut season – scoring eight goals in 34 league matches.

The Argentina international had been on OL's radar but the recent sale of Aly Cissokho to Valencia prompted the club to swoop swiftly for a replacement, tying up a deal thought to be in the region of €4 million.

Monzon has penned a contract until 2016 and the Nice have taken winger Jeremy Pied in the other direction, with the French winger also agreeing a four-year deal to be reunited with former coach Claude Puel.

"Monzon has played at Nice 39 times, he scores goals, and we would probably have had to pay twice as much for him three years ago because the economy was not the same," Aulas said.

Lyon have also signed ex-Sunderland and Tottenham midfielder Steed Malbranque, who had been training with the Remi Garde's squad since the beginning of the summer.

The former France international is a replacement for long-term injury absentee Yoann Gourcuff and has signed a one-year contract at the Stade Gerland, where he began his professional football career 15 years ago.

"I've come home and I'm very happy to do so. Lyon is a club close to my heart," Malbranque explained. "The challenge of getting back to a high level after 10 months out is exciting. I want to show everybody that I still have the desire and determination. I hope that everything goes well and we have a good season. I'm not apprehensive. I really want to repay the club,"