Brentford have completed the signing of French central defender Julian Jeanvier from Stade de Reims, subject to international clearance. The 26-year-old underwent a medical earlier today, Monday 30 July, after an undisclosed fee was agreed for his transfer. He signed a four-year contract at Griffin Park this afternoon to officially become a Brentford player. There is also a club option to extend that contract for another year.

Julian moves to Brentford after helping Reims win Ligue Deux last season and earn promotion back to the top tier of French football. He has spent two seasons with the Northern France club after joining them on a free transfer from top-flight LOSC Lille. Julian played 65 games for Reims in all competitions and scored five goals. He only missed five games last term as Reims won the second-tier title.

Rasmus Ankersen, Brentford FC Co-Director of Football, said: “We are very pleased to have Julian joining Brentford. He is someone we have scouted extensively. With his athleticism and power, we are convinced he will be able to compete very well in the Championship."

Dean Smith, Brentford FC Head Coach, said: “We are very happy that Julian has chosen to come to Brentford as the next step in his career. We were looking to replace John Egan when he left us, and Julian perfectly fits the bill in terms of stature, the way he plays, personality and the characteristics we see in players.

“We think he has the potential to get better. He had a great season with Reims last season and his performances saw him named in the Team of the Year for Ligue Deux. I look forward to working with him.”

Julian started his career at Association Sportive Nancy-Lorraine, working his way through to the First Team and playing seven Ligue Un games for them. He moved to Lille in the summer of 2013 and had loan spells at Red Star and Belgian side Royal Excel Mouscron, playing in the Belgian top flight. After three years at Lille he moved on to Reims and now heads to London after two seasons and a Ligue Deux championship medal.