Makoun joins Rennes

Aston Villa midfielder Jean II Makoun has joined Rennes on a season-long loan deal.

Makoun failed to secure a work permit in England for the coming Premier League season and leaves the club for the second time following his £6.2million move last summer. The former Lille and Lyon midfielder returns to France to work under Pierre Dreossi, who was keen to sign the Cameroonian after working with him at Lille. "We were looking for an experienced midfielder. I know him very well because I signed him when I was at Lille," he told the club's official website. Makoun, 29, has made just 12 first-team appearances for Villa and spent the majority of last term on loan at Greek side Olympiakos where he featured 23 times, scoring two goals. The Cameroon international moves to Route de Lorient following the departure of midfielder Alexander Tettey, who joined Norwich City on Friday.