By NFFC

We have completed our fourth signing of the summer transfer window with defender Moussa Niakhaté arriving from Mainz 05.

Here is everything you need to know about the 26-year-old’s footballing career so far…

Born in Roubaix, France, Niakhaté spent seven years at Lille as a youngster, before going on to play for Wasquehal and Boulogne.

In 2013, the 6-foot-3 defender joined French side Valenciennes, making his professional debut for the club against Dijon in October 2014 having gained experience in their B team.

After making 76 appearances for Valenciennes, the defender left the Ligue 2 outfit to join Ligue 1 side Metz in 2017.

Niakhaté impressed during the 2017-18 season despite Metz’s relegation to Ligue 2, with a move to German side Mainz 05 materialising for the powerful defender.

During a four-year stay in Germany, Niakhaté amassed 135 appearances for the club, registering four goals and three assists in 30 Bundesliga outings as Mainz finished eighth last season.

A France U21 international, Niakhaté was also part of the squad which reached the semi-final of the UEFA U21 Championships in 2019.

The left-sided defender now arrives in England, becoming summer signing number four ahead of The Reds’ return to the top flight.