French defender Jullien becomes Celtic's first new recruit

GLASGOW: French defender Christopher Jullien became Scottish champions Celtic's first signing of the close season on Friday joining from Ligue 1 side Toulouse for a reported £7million ($8.9million).

The 26-year-old -- a member of the France squad that won the 2013 Under-20 World Cup -- signed a four-year contract ending a three-year spell with Toulouse.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon, who is away at a team training camp in Austria, said he would add extra quality to a squad already brimming with talent.

"We are absolutely delighted to bring Christopher to Celtic," Lennon told the club website.

"He is a quality player with great attributes and we are very much looking forward to him joining the squad and working with him.

"We've got a squad of great quality already here at the club, who have achieved incredible success over the past few seasons, but it's always good to add further quality to the group and that's what we've got with Christopher."

Jullien's signing comes a day after 19-year-old Motherwell playmaker David Turnbull's transfer collapsed due to a knee injury that requires surgery.