Batlles signs for Saint-Etienne

Veteran midfielder Laurent Batlles has joined Saint-Etienne on a one-year contract, the French first division side announced on Saturday.

The 34-year-old played for Grenoble for the last two seasons but was released from his contract when they were relegated to the second division in May.

Batlles is one of the most experienced players in the top flight, having played 402 matches (scoring 33 goals) since making his debut for Toulouse in 1994.

He played over 200 games for Toulouse over two spells and has also been at Bordeaux, Rennes, Bastia and Marseille, playing in their 2-0 defeat by Valencia in the 2004 UEFA Cup final.

Battles is the second recruit for Saint-Etienne this summer following the arrival of central defender Sylvain Marchal from Lorient.