Official | Metz sign former Angers man Ismaël Traoré on a free transfer | OneFootball

Metz have announced the arrival of defender Ismaël Traoré on a free transfer, with the Ivory Coast international having left Angers at the end of this past season after a seven-year spell at the club.

The 35-year-old has signed a two-year deal with Les Grenats, who were relegated to Ligue 2 after finishing 19th in the top flight last year and start life in the second tier next week against Amiens at home.

Traoré made 227 appearances for Angers, becoming a key member of the squad and taking up the captain’s armband, but was not kept on in what he described as a surprise, last-minute decision which could have been handled better.

The Ivorian now joins his fourth club in French football, with the Paris native having previously turned out for Sedan for a six-year spell before spending three years at Brest.

He becomes the eastern side’s first signing of the summer, although the club have also brought in László Bölöni to take over the manager’s spot from Frédéric Antonetti after last year’s relegation.