Le Mans sign Portuguese defender Andrade

FC Porto defender Joao Paulo Andrade joined French first division side Le Mans on a three year contract on Monday.

The 28-year-old former Under-21 international moves to France after a one year loan spell in Romania with Rapid Bucharest.

Le Mans were in the market for a fullback to replace Paulo Andre who has returned to his native Brazil.

In an interview with Le Mans’ website Andrade said on Monday: “I haven’t been able to train with FC Porto so I’m behind those players who have already been working here for a month.

“I won’t be operational for a couple of weeks so my aim for the coming days is to work hard to catch up.”