Bordeaux has signed Yoann Gourcuff from AC Milan on a
four-year contract.
Gourcuff arrived at Bordeaux on a season-long loan from
the Italian team, but Bordeaux took up the option it had to sign
him on a permanent basis.
"I am very happy to continue the adventure I've started with
Bordeaux," Gourcuff said on the club's website Thursday. "My
decision to sign with Bordeaux was taken over the course of the
season."
Gourcuff has scored 12 league goals this season to lead Bordeaux
to the brink of its first title since 1999. It only needs to avoid
a defeat at Caen in Saturday's final round of matches to win the
league.
When Milan loaned Gourcuff in June, it gave Bordeaux the option
of buying the 22-year-old for 15 million euros (C$23.3 million) as
he was not included in Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti's long-term
plans.
Bordeaux coach Laurent Blanc made signing Gourcuff his priority,
and signed a new deal himself to remain at the club in order to
persuade the player to stay with him.
"I am the most happy of presidents tonight," Bordeaux president
Jean-Louis Triaud said. "We are all delighted that we can count on
this player of great talent."