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LOAN NEWS: Yohan Benalouane joins Fiorentina until the end of 2015/16, subject to approval - https://t.co/KuxzHj5uJa pic.twitter.com/mg7WINOxre
— Leicester City (@LCFC) February 1, 2016
On a transfer deadline day that was filled with false dawns and looked to end in disaster for Fiorentina, the club eventually confirmed that Yohan Benalouane was signed from Leicester City.
The 28 year old defender's move was reported as both finalised and scrapped earlier on Monday, with various outlets believing the Frenchman wanted any deal to come with a guaranteed option for his future.
Perhaps that should be no surprise given that this is now his fifth transfer since leaving Saint-Étienne in the summer of 2010, taking in spells with three other Serie A sides before joining former Fiorentina boss Claudio Ranieri in England back in August.
Making just four Premier League appearances - plus five starts in the two cup competitions - he will provide some much needed cover at the back for Paulo Sousa, something the Coach has repeatedly asked for since he arrived.
"Fiorentina announce that they have reached an agreement for the temporary signing with the right to buy of Yohan Benalouane from Leicester City," read a statement on the club's website yesterday. "Benalouane was born in Bagnols-surs-Ceze in France, on 28 March 1987 and has worn the shirts of Saint-Etienne, Cesena, Parma and Atalanta during his career".