Lorient sign up Diop

FC Lorient have signed Senegal international Malick Diop until the summer of 2004.

French experience 
The Neuchâtel Xamax FC defender, who was voted player of the year in Senegal in 1998, has already had a spell in France with RC Strasbourg in 1999, the side he joined from English club Norwich City FC. He moved to Switzerland and Neuchâtel at the start of this season.

Tough tackler
The 27-year-old is a tight man-marker, strong in the tackle, and though he failed to win his first-team place back after playing in the African Cup of Nations in 2000, he is still an important member of the Senegal squad.