Florent Malouda: Joined Metz after leaving Turkish side Trabzonspor

Former Chelsea winger Florent Malouda has joined Ligue 1 side Metz on a one-year deal with the option to extend by a further year.

Malouda, who has 80 France caps to his name, was a free agent after leaving Trabzonspor and was heavily linked with a return to England, although he distanced himself from links with Birmingham.

The 34-year-old is now back in French football after just one season in Turkey and says he did not panic about securing a move despite only becoming available in the transfer window’s latter stages.

"When my contract was cancelled with Trabzonspor, I had no agent and it was the end of the transfer market, but it was not a problem," Malouda explained at his unveiling.

"I could study peacefully the different propositions that came from Serie A, Premier League, India and USA.

"I have been really taken with the Metz project.

"It is a historic club in Ligue 1 with a young group, and where I will have big responsibilities on the pitch."