Hadji saga ends to Rennes' satisfaction

False alarm
Despite an announcement last week by Bastia that Hadji was joining AS Nancy-Lorraine, the player has signed a four-year contract with Rennes after "several weeks of negotiations".

Bölöni link
Nancy and Bastia had agreed a fee for Hadji, but the 25-year-old preferred to link up with coach Ladislau Bölöni at Rennes. Hadji played under Bölöni at Nancy in the 1998/99 and 1999/00 campaigns, during a five-year stay with the Stade Marcel-Picot team.

Second arrival
The new man follows striker John Utaka, a €6m capture from RC Lens, to Rennes who have qualified for the UEFA Cup via their league placing for the first time. They finished fourth in Ligue 1.

'Gamble on stability'
"We might bring in another new face but consider our squad complete for the time being," said Rennes general manager Pierre Dréossi. "We will gamble on stability for next season and give the young players their chance to develop."

Chimbonda stalemate
Meanwhile, like Hadji, 26-year-old left-back Pascal Chimbonda has stalled on a move to Nancy from Bastia, saying he wants to consider other offers that are on the table.