"Dinamo is an interesting project I really want to be a part of," said France midfielder Mathieu Valbuena after moving to FC Dinamo Moskva from Olympique de Marseille.

Valbuena has signed for the UEFA Europa League contenders on a three-year deal for a fee reported to be in the region of €7m. "It was important that Mathieu joined our team," said Dinamo president Boris Rotenberg. "Our club has really big aims, which are to succeed in the Russian Premier League and to qualify for the UEFA Champions League at the end of this season. Valbuena is the player we needed; we hope he will help us to step up to the next level".

The 29-year-old, capped 38 times by his country, added: "I do share the club's ambitions, and I'm looking forward to my debut for my new team. I will do my best to help Dinamo achieve their goals."

Valbuena, who played for FC Libourne-Saint-Seurin before moving to Marseille in 2006, won three French League Cups and one Ligue 1 title while in southern France. He played four times for Les Bleus at this summer's FIFA World Cups.

Dynamo drew 1-1 with Hapoel Kiryat Shmona FC in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League third qualifying round tie. The return takes place in Nicosia on Thursday.