LILLE: Coveted Ivory Coast international winger Nicolas Pepe has signed for Lille from their French top-flight rivals Angers, the two clubs confirmed on Wednesday.
The 22-year-old has signed a five-year contract with the northern outfit, who won the race for his signature despite reported interest in him from clubs in the English Premier League.
French media reports put the transfer fee at 10 million euros ($11.1 million).
"There was a long wait because I was in demand, but I am certain that I have made the right choice," Pepe told Lille's official website.
Born in France, Pepe made his full international debut for the Ivory Coast late last year.
Lille, who have appointed enigmatic Argentine Marcelo Bielsa as their new coach, have also confirmed the signing of the Burkina Faso goalkeeper Herve Koffi, 20, from Ivorian outfit ASEC Abidjan on a five-year deal.
The double signing follows the arrival last week of Brazilian forward Luiz Araujo from Sao Paulo.