Wolves complete loan deal for Tongo Doumbia

Wolves today announced the loan signing of Rennes midfielder Tongo Doumbia.

The 22-year-old Mali international has joined the club on a season-long loan with a view to a permanent move after completing a medical on Friday and Saturday and training with the squad at Compton yesterday.

French-born Doumbia, a powerful defensive midfielder, was recently close to joining Albion after reports that he had rejected a move to Arsenal.

But the move to the West Midlands broke down after Albion signed Claudio Yacob instead.

At 6ft 3ins tall, Doumbia has a powerful presence and was booked seven times in 25 games as Rennes finished sixth in Ligue One last season.

Doumbia has been a regular for Rennes for two seasons, playing 19 Ligue One games in 2010-11.

"Tongo will bring some more quality," said boss Stale Solbakken.

"He has good experience for a young player. He's a box-to-box player who can operate in that central role defensively and offensively, and, as well as being physically strong, he is also good in possession.

"There's a chance he'll be involved against Shrewsbury."

Doumbia said: "I'm really looking forward to playing for the fans and the manager. I want to help the team as much as I can as we aim for promotion.

"There were other clubs interested but I had a good feeling about Wolves as soon as I spoke to the manager.

"I have a lot of friends playing in Europe who knew about the manager and one of my team-mates at Rennes – Alexander Tettey – is a Norwegian international. They all spoke highly of him."