Menez out to make Monaco mark
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Article summary
Jérémy Menez has spoken of his pride at joining AS Monaco FC after a deal was struck with FC Sochaux-Montbéliard for the France Under-19 forward.
Article body
AS Monaco FC are to sign FC Sochaux-Montbéliard striker Jérémy Menez on a four-year contract for a reported €3.5m fee.
Youth success
The 19-year-old, who was to have a medical on Thursday morning, was part of the France side that won the 2003/04 UEFA European Under-17 Championship and has since become an established member of the U19 setup. Another notable international feat came when he scored five goals at the UEFA-CAF Meridian Cup in Egypt last year. For Sochaux, Menez has spent the past two seasons in the first team, scoring seven goals in 55 league matches.
Koller partnership
"I'm proud to join Monaco who are aiming to return to the UEFA Champions League and they showed they really wanted me," said Menez. Monaco's new coach Laszlo Bölöni and sporting director Marc Keller could pair Menez with Czech Republic forward Jan Koller who, at 33, is 14 years older than his potential partner. Monaco could also be set to land 25-year-old defender Sylvain Monsoreau from Lyon, with Sébastien Squillaci going the other way.
