Case For The Defence

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Case For The Defence
Three new signings as Hill strengthens backline

by Didi Cedat
Chief Football Writer

After a slow start in the transfer market things have moved fast this week with three new defenders signing for Stade Rennais.
New manager Drew Hill has clearly highlighted the defensive line as a weakness in his squad and has put his faith in three new recruits from the English Championship to shore things up.


New signings Fraser Horsfall, Tom Lees and Rarmani Edwards-Green are welcomed to Roazhon Park by Drew Hill

First to be announced was experienced defender Tom Lees joining from Huddersfield for £4.5m. Lees had already played his first minutes for the club during yesterday's 3-0 capitulation against Sevilla.
At the next transfer update he will be joined by former Huddersfield teammate Rarmani Edwards-Green and Fraser Horsfall from Stockport County.
Edwards-Green joins in a swap deal involving out of favour striker Nordin. The Championship squad will also receive £12m from the deal.
Horsfall joins the Rouge et Noir in a straight swap for midfielder Minamino.

Rennes chief Hill said "I don't think it's a secret that we need to improve defensively.
"Regardless of quality we lacked strength in depth in that area.
"I am confident that the arrival of these three will have a big impact.
"Tom Lees has a wealth of experience to work with our young squad and Rarmani has bags of potential.
"The signing that really excites me though, is Fraser Horsfall.
"I really think he will be the best defender at the club in a very short time and he is still only 26.
"He can become a big player for the club".

The new players will need to make a quick impact with Stade Rennais languishing near the bottom of the table and with one of the worst defensive records in the division.