Alessandri joins Rennes

Clermont Foot playmaker Romain Alessandrini has chosen to sign for Rennes, despite interest from Ligue 1 rivals LOSC and Sochaux.

The 23-year-old has scored 11 times in each of his last two seasons in Ligue Two and has now decided to make the step up to the French first division. The player was linked with a move to Saint-Etienne last summer, though Alessandri has only just decided to make the move up to the top league by choosing Rennes after meeting with coach Frédéric Antonetti and sporting director Pierre Dréossi. "It's not actually finalised yet, because I haven't signed a contract, but I've made up my mind," he said on Thursday. "I knew Sochaux were following me but I never agreed to sign there. I just told their directors yesterday, out of respect, that I was signing somewhere else."