Marseille sign versatile N'Koulou
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
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Cameroon defender Nicolas N'Koulou has joined French Ligue 1 runners-up Olympique de Marseille from AS Monaco FC after heeding the call of UEFA Champions League football.
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French Ligue 1 runners-up Olympique de Marseille have signed Cameroonian international defender Nicolas N'Koulou on a four-year deal from relegated AS Monaco FC.
The versatile 21-year-old, who can play in any position across the back four as well as in midfield, said that the lure of UEFA Champions League football proved too strong for him to resist when evaluating his next career move.
"I spoke at length with the coach, who told me I could progress a great deal here," said N'Koulou, who has featured 28 times for his country. "I tried to weigh up the pros and cons and work out which club was best for me from a sporting perspective – the difference was the Champions League."
N'Koulou, who was unveiled alongside fellow summer signings Morgan Amalfitano and Jérémy Morel, both formerly of FC Lorient, made 78 Ligue 1 appearances in three seasons at Monaco before joining Didier Deschamps' side, who will enter the 2011/12 UEFA Champions League at the group stage.
