Monaco announce fifth off season signing with Mboula

Promising Jordi Mboula became the fifth close season signing of Ligue 1 champions AS Monaco, the French football club announced.

The 18-year-old winger signed a five-year deal with Monaco after his departure from Barcelona, reports Xinhua news agency.

Mboula scored eight goals to cap his shining performance in last season's UEFA Youth League. He is also a member of the Spanish youth team.

"Mboula has demonstrated his quality in Barca's youth academy. Monaco are offering him an ideal environment for his future development," commented Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev.

Monaco finished a memorable 2016-17 season as they shattered Paris Saint-Germain's (PSG) dominance over the past four years in French top-flight league with the title, also witnessing the rapid growth of many talented youngsters, highlighted by the 18-year-old sensation Kylian Mbappe.

After their playmaker Bernardo Silva's move to English Premier League (EPL) side Manchester City, Monaco put promising young players on their radar as they signed Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans, defender Jordy Gaspar and midfielder Soualiho Meite.

Swiss international goalkeeper Diego Benaglio, 33, might be an exception to their recruiting strategy, but he would undoubtedly serve as a good supplement to Danijel Subasic, or even fill the void if the Croatian finally made his move from the Ligue 1 title holders.

--IANS

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