Yepes confident of Nantes revival

New FC Nantes Atlantique arrival Mario Yepes believes the defending champions can rescue their season after completing a move from Club Atlético River Plate.

Colombian international
The French first division resumes this weekend following the Christmas break with Nantes seeking to kick-start a revival that will see them surge up the table with a win at SC Bastia. Their battle against relegation in the second half of the campaign has been boosted by the arrival of the 25-year-old Colombia defender on a four-and-a-half year contract.

'Situation concerns me'
"I had contact with several clubs but Nantes turned out to be the only one to make a concrete offer," Yepes said. "In Argentina this club has a good reputation. Their situation concerns me because they are the defending champions, but I am convinced they have a great chance to get out of the crisis."

Difficult to beat
Capped 23 times by his country, Yepes has warned he will be a difficult defender to beat in the league. "I have just finished the Argentinian league and, having stopped for only seven days, I feel fully fit. I am usually very hard to beat in one-on-one situations."

No stranger to success
Yepes is no stranger to success, having twice won the Colombian league with Asociación Deportivo Cali before joining River Plate in 1999. He also featured as Colombia claimed victory in the Copa America in June.