Olympique de Marseille have confirmed the signing of Tunisia international Aymen Abdennour, who moves to the Stade Velodrome on a season-long loan from Valencia.
OM announced the move on their official website on Tuesday evening after the North African defender had passed a medical..
Under contract with the Spanish heavyweights until June 2020, Abdennour said on Instagram: "Every ending marks a new beginning as they say. Today my adventure with Valencia ends with a new challenge elsewhere.
"I've spent two great seasons with them, I'm going to miss my teammates. I hope this season will be a good one for them. I will try to follow them.
"Thanks to the Valencia fans for their loyalty," he added. "I'm very proud to have defended these colours."
The 28-year-old previously represented Toulouse and Monaco in the French top flight after beginning his career with Etoile du Sahel in his homeland, before signing for Valencia in 2015.
However, he often struggled to impress during his two seasons in Spain during a period of crisis for the club, despite his rugged style and versatility.
The centre-back arrives at Marseille as the club's sixth signing of the summer window, and may well slot immediately into a backline that conceded six in a devastating 6-1 defeat by Monaco on Sunday.
He represented Tunisia at the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon earlier this year - playing all four of the Carthage Eagles' matches - but represented Valencia only 13 times due to injury last term.
Linked with Everton and Chelsea back in December, Watford were also understood to be keen on Abdennour's services this summer, according to Sky Sports.
ESPN FC's Spain correspondent, Adriana Garcia, contributed to this report.