Runje back in France with Lens

Croatian international goalkeeper Vedran Runje is returning to France after joining UEFA Intertoto Cup contenders RC Lens from Turkish side Beşiktaş JK.

Three-year deal
The 31-year-old left Ligue 1 three summers ago, transferring to R. Standard de Liège from Olympique de Marseille before moving on to Istanbul in 2006 - and he is delighted to be back. "I really wanted to return to France," he said, having signed a three-year contract with Lens. "I discussed it with Beşiktaş. They did not want to let me go because we had a good season and earned a UEFA Champions League third qualifying round place, but they finally agreed."

Lens aims
Runje had been playing under Frenchman Jean Tigana at Beşiktaş prior to his departure just before the end of the campaign. At Lens he will work with legendary former AJ Auxerre coach Guy Roux. "We have discussed a lot together," Runje said. "Lens want to return to the UEFA Champions League after missing out in the last few seasons. It will be a big challenge." Runje will compete with Charles Itandje for a first-team place, with Lens having sold reserve keeper Sébastien Chabbert to Ligue 2 outfit Amiens SC. Les Sang et Or will enter the UEFA Intertoto Cup in the third round.