Toulalan to sign for Lyon

FC Nantes Atlantique's French Under-21 international midfielder Jérémy Toulalan is to join Ligue 1 champions Olympique Lyonnais on a four-year contract.

Nantes born and bred
Lyon will pay a fee rising to €7m for Toulalan, who will represent France at this month's UEFA European Under-21 Championship in Portugal. The 22-year-old, currently preparing for the tournament, will put pen to paper on the deal shortly. Holding midfielder Toulalan made his Ligue 1 debut with hometown club Nantes during the 2001/02 campaign and has gone on to play 94 times for Les Canaris, scoring once.

Cris contract
Toulalan's imminent arrival follows the announcement that defender Cris has extended his contract until 2010. The Brazilian international centre-back has made 69 appearances in two seasons since signing from Cruzeiro EC in 2004.