Josse, Itoua and Flores sign for Litex

Maxime Josse said a transfer to PFC Litex Lovech was "a step forward" in his career after the French defender signed for the Bulgarian champions along with compatriot Onanga Itoua and Uruguay midfielder Robert Flores.

Josse has transferred to the Oranges from FC Sochaux-Montbéliard and said: "The move to Litex is a step forward in my career. I did not hesitate to sign when I got the offer." The 24-year-old will be joined at his new club by both Itoua, 22, who made two Ligue 1 appearances for AJ Auxerre, and twice-capped Uruguay attacking midfielder Flores. The 25-year-old Flores spent two seasons with Villarreal CF's B team before being loaned back to Club Nacional de Football in his homeland.

This summer Litex have also signed Brazilian forwards Thiago Miracema and Cólio Codó on loan from Sampaio Corrêa FC. Luboslav Penev's side kick off their 2011/12 UEFA Champions League campaign in Montenegro on Tuesday with a second qualifying round opener at FK Mogren.