Marseille nabs full-back Hiroki Sakai

Marseille announced Thursday the signing of Japanese international full-back Hiroki Sakai after his four-year stint with Hannover came to term in June.

Typically employed as a right-back, Sakai's acquisition comes on the same day the Cote d'Azur outfit announced the signing of former Lyon left-back Henri Bedimo to cover for a departing Benjamin Mendy.

(Courtesy: Olympique Marseille)

During his spell with recently relegated Hannover, Sakai, 26, made 102 appearances for the Bundesliga side paired with two goals.

As with the national team - where Sakai has been first-choice right-back since Atsuto Uchida's season-ending knee injury - Marseille's newest player will likely platoon with Ivorian full-back Brice Dja Djedje next season.

The 27-time capped international becomes the second Japanese player in the Marseille ranks after Koji Nakata had a cup of coffee with the south coast giant in 2005.