Brighton & Hove Albion have announced the arrival of Mali international Yves Bissouma from Lille on a five-year deal.
The 21-year-old becomes the Seagulls' sixth signing of a busy summer, joining the likes of Florin Andone and Brazilian midfielder Bernardo in making the switch.
Despite rumoured interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Everton, Bissouma - capped 15 times for Mali - has opted for Premier League rivals Brighton and is eager to get going.
"I chatted with quite a lot of people who advised me it's a good league for my progression, and it's good to join a club like Brighton who know what they want, an ambitious club," he told the club's official website. "First of all I spoke to my agent, then I spoke to Bakary Sako who plays at Crystal Palace and Molla Wague, who plays for Watford.
"They both said a lot of good things about the Premier League. It's the dream of every player to come and play in the Premier League. They said it's different to Ligue 1 – but you see that on the TV. They said it's quite physical, quite difficult but it's the best league in the world, that says it all.
"To be a big player you have to prove yourself in the big leagues and that is what pushed me a bit to come here. I wanted to come and show what I can do in the Premier League and help the team move forward."
Bissouma scored twice and set up another in 24 Ligue 1 outings for Lille last season, largely from a defensive midfield position.
Daniel Lewis
