Injury-hit Marseille recruit Rennes right-back Fanni

France defender Rod Fanni has joined Olympique de Marseille after the Ligue 1 champions agreed to pay Stade Rennais FC a reported €4m fee.

Didier Deschamps's side moved to sign the 29-year-old on a two-and-a-half year contract after a serious knee ligament injury to César Azpilicueta, who had been the club's first-choice right-back so far this season, plus an impending suspension to Stéphane Mbia following his red card against AJ Auxerre last week.

"We needed a player anyway, but with Azpi's injury and things surrounding the Auxerre game it became an emergency," said Deschamps. "It would have been dangerous to go on this season without a genuine right-back."

For his part, Fanni explained that he is delighted "to have reached the next level. I've been made welcome and the facilities are magnificent." The prospect of playing UEFA Champions League football – Group F runners-up Marseille will go into the round of 16 draw on Friday – was also a big incentive, with Fanni adding: "It's something every player aims to do in his career. It's a great challenge for me."