Abardonado swaps Nice for Nürnberg

UEFA Cup challengers 1. FC Nürnberg have agreed to sign French central defender Jacques Abardonado from Ligue 1 outfit OGC Nice when the transfer window opens.

Secret fee
The 29-year-old has accepted a two-and-a-half year contract with the Bundesliga side and will officially join once transfer business resumes in January. The clubs have not revealed what fee has been paid for the former Olympique de Marseille player, who has made 174 league appearances for Nice, scoring two goals.

'Following 1. FCN'
"Talks have been ongoing for quite a while now and consequently I have been following Nürnberg," said Abardonado. "I am looking forward to playing at 1. FCN and in the Bundesliga and hope I will be able to help the club avoid relegation with my experience." Nürnberg are 14th in the Bundesliga and need a win at point-less Larissa FC next Thursday to make sure of reaching the UEFA Cup's Round of 32 from Group A.