Aston Villa midfielder Jean Makoun has joined Ligue 1 side Rennes on a season-long loan, with a view to a permanent deal.
The Cameroon international spent last year with Greek outfit Olympiakos after struggling to make an impact at Villa Park.
He was deemed surplus to requirements by new Villa manager Paul Lambert this summer and his future was clarified further when he failed to gain a work permit.
Makoun joined the West Midlands club from Lyon in 2011 for £6m but went on to only make 12 appearances in the claret and blue.