Saint-Etienne signs Bryan Dabo from Montpellier

Saint-Etienne has added some vigour and vitality to its midfield, signing Bryan Dabo from Montpellier on a four-year contract.

Dabo, 24, joins Les Verts following nine years with the south coast side whose youth ranks he joined as a 15-year-old, and has penned a deal with Saint-Etienne that will see him at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard through 2020, the club announced Friday.

Saint-Etienne boss Christophe Galtier appears elated to have signed the Marseille-born midfielder, and the gaffer is quick to point out the urgency to settle an agreement with the player ahead of the start of preseason training.

"It must be emphasized the agreement quickly reached between the two clubs - Montpellier and Saint-Etienne," Galtier said, "the will of my leaders to bring Bryan but also the will of Montpellier to ensure that exchanges take place peacefully."

"We play in five weeks. He wanted to join us as soon possible," he added.

"I am very proud to join AS Saint-Etienne. This club is part of French footballing heritage," Dabo told the club's website.

A versatile player able to fill several roles, Dabo played in 36 Ligue 1 matches last season for strugglers Montpellier. Ten of those starts were as a central midfielder, with another eight coming in a deep defensive middle of the park spot coupled with appearances both at right-back and on the corresponding wing.