French champions Olympique Lyonnais have signed Senegal defender Lamine Diatta on a free transfer from Stade Rennais FC.

Two-year deal
The 29-year-old, who arrived in French football in 1998 when joining Toulouse FC, left Rennes in June after five seasons and has agreed a two-year deal with Lyon. The centre-back will help compensate for the summer departures of Edmílson, Patrick Müller and Eric Deflandre. A proven international, Diatta reached the quarter-finals of the 2002 FIFA World Cup with his country and also played at this year's African Cup of Nations.

New season
Diatta, who made 32 Ligue 1 appearances last term, will compete for a place with Claudio Caçapa and fellow newcomer Eric Abidal, who moved from Lille OSC in June. Lyon kick off the new French season tonight with a match at OGC Nice.