Marveaux leaves Rennes to join Newcastle

Rennes winger Sylvain Marveaux has agreed to join Newcastle, adding to the contingent of French midfielders at the Premier League club.

Marveaux will move to St. James' Park on a five-year deal on July 1, joining a squad that includes France internationals Hatem Ben Arfa and Yohan Cabaye.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew says ''it's a great coup to have signed Sylvain, who has received interest from a number of other clubs. He is a real talent and a player we have been keeping an eye on for some time.''

Marveaux, who will join on a free transfer, had been linked with a move to Liverpool.

Central midfielder Cabaye joined from Lille last week, while Ben Arfa made a permanent move to Newcastle from Marseille in January after a loan spell.