Lyon pounce to seal Squillaci swap

Olympique Lyonnais have continued to strengthen ahead for next season after signing French international Sébastien Squillaci from AS Monaco FC in a deal that sees Sylvain Monsoreau travel the other way.

'Hard to resist'
The 25-year-old Squillaci arrives at Stade Gerland on a four-year deal, becoming the third new face at the club this summer following the recent signings of Jérémy Toulalan and Kim Källström. "When a side as Lyon get in touch with you it's hard to resist," said the centre-back, whose move north ends eight years on the south coast with Monaco. "I can now look forward to playing every game in front of 40,000 fans at the Gerland."

Monsoreau makeweight
Squillaci arrives at Lyon as Monsoreau moves in the other direction as a makeweight in an undisclosed deal. The 25-year-old struggled to hold down a place in Gérard Houllier's team last season, making just 13 Ligue 1 starts after joining from FC Sochaux-Montbéliard last summer. "I feel they trust me," he said after signing a four-year contract. "There is a new project growing here [following the arrival of coach Laszlo Bölöni] and I'm glad to be part of it."