Berlin, July 15 (IANS): FC Mainz have signed defender Abdou Diallo from French football league champions AS Monaco, the German club announced in a statement.

Mainz have reinforced their defence with the signing of France's Under-21 team captain Abdou Diallo, who has put pen to paper on a five year deal that runs until June 2022, reports Xinhua news agency.

"Abdou Diallo is strong in the air and is an intelligent tackler, who has been courted by other European clubs. He is fast, can lead the game and can be fielded variably in the defence," Mainz' sporting director Rouven Schroeder said on Friday.

Diallo is a young prospect from Monaco and made it into the first team in 2014 to make ten appearances ever since. Mainz' new arrival played his way through all France youth teams before he became the skipper of the Under-21.

"After talking with the coach I was directly convinced that I would join Mainz. I have heard only good things about Mainz and my first impression confirms this. The Bundesliga is one of the top leagues in the world. I can't wait to play here," Diallo said.

Mainz will clash with newly promoted Hannover in the first round of the Bundesliga on August 19.