Defender Nicolas Nkoulou in action for Indomitable Lions

Defender Nicolas Nkoulou has joined Olympique Marseille from relegated French club Monaco on a four-year deal.

As part of the deal which reportedly cost US$5m, Marseille will loan their Togolese international defender Senah Mango to Monaco with an option to buy.

The 21-year-old will now join compatriot Stephane Mbia at Marseille, who he partners in central defence for Cameroon.

“It’s great to meet up again with a brother!” said Nkoulou, who was also the subject of a reported approach from Lyon.

Nkoulou will compete for a place alongside Mbia with Senegal international Souleymane Diawara but said he had no qualms about the competition for a starting berth at France’s most popular club.

“Competition is a part of our job,” he said.

“I’m a competitor. It’s up to me to be ready mentally.”

Marseille coach Didier Deschamps heralded Nkoulou’s qualities, which he said had been “demonstrated very early on at Monaco, as well as for the national team,” and said he had “the potential” to be a first-team player.

Marseille, French champions in 2010, are revamping their squad after losing out to Lille in the Ligue 1 title race last season.

As well as Mbia and Diawara, the French side have Ghana’s Ayew brothers, Jordan and Andre, and Burkina Faso’s Charles Kabore on their books.

Source: BBC