AS Monaco signs Benjamin Mendy to long-term contract from Marseille

AS Monaco announced Wednesday that Benjamin Mendy has joined the club from Marseille after the defender put pen to paper on a five-year contract.

The promising young left-back joins Monaco in a deal that's expected to cost the team €10 million, according to Agence France-Presse.

"I’m very proud to sign for AS Monaco," Mendy said. "It’s a new challenge for me. I hope to progress and move to the next level with this great club in the French league."

Mendy, 21, has spent five seasons in France's top flight, making 81 appearances between Le Havre and Marseille.

"Benjamin has the advantage of being a big hope for the future in his position while having solid experience in the league," Monaco vice president and CEO Vadim Vasilyev said. "He is still very young and we hope to allow him to express his full talent and potential. We have a lot of faith in him."

The left-back becomes the team's first signing since finishing 12th in Ligue 1.