Nice land former Ram

Nice have signed full back Francois Grenet on a free transfer from Rennes.

Grenet no longer featured in the plans of Rennes coach Laszlo Boloni and had negotiated his release from the final year of his contract.

He quickly concurred on a two-year deal with Nice and will fill the gap created by Noe Pamarot's departure to Tottenham Hotspur.

The 29-year-old Grenet joined Rennes two years ago after a brief spell in England with Derby County.

Meanwhile, Nice are stepping up their attempts to bring in more fresh faces by handing a trial to Moroccan defender Djamal Alioui.

The 22-year-old currently plays in Italy with Perugia, but is striving to earn a contract with Nice.

Argentinian teenagers Gabriel Paletta and Emiliano Daniel Armenteros are also due on the South Coast for a trial stint next week.

Both players are presently on the books of Banfield in their homeland, but are aiming to secure a move to Europe early in their careers.