Bordeaux sign Gourcuff from AC Milan

Bordeaux has signed Yoann Gourcuff from AC Milan on a four-year contract.

Gourcuff arrived at Bordeaux on a season-long loan from the Italian team, but Bordeaux took up the option they had to sign him on a permanent basis.

"I am very happy to continue the adventure I've started with Bordeaux," Gourcuff said on the club's website today. "My decision to sign with Bordeaux was taken over the course of the season."

Gourcuff has scored 12 league goals this season to lead Bordeaux to the brink of their first title since 1999. They only need to avoid a defeat at Caen in Saturday's final round of matches to win the league.

When Milan loaned Gourcuff in June, they gave Bordeaux the option of buying the 22-year-old for €15m as he was not included in Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti's long-term plans.

Bordeaux coach Laurent Blanc made signing Gourcuff his priority, and signed a new deal himself to remain at the club in order to persuade the player to stay with him.

"I am the most happy of presidents tonight," Bordeaux president Jean-Louis Triaud said. "We are all delighted that we can count on this player of great talent."

Gourcuff was named the French league's Player of the Year by his fellow professionals on Sunday.

He is also now a regular in the French national team, scoring a stunning goal to salvage a point in a 2-2 draw at Romania in a 2010 World Cup qualifying match in October 2008.

Gourcuff won Sunday's award ahead of Lille midfielder Michel Bastos, Toulouse striker Andre-Pierre Gignac — the league's top scorer with 24 goals — and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Stephane Sessegnon.

Bordeaux have won 10 straight league matches to lead Marseille by three points heading into Saturday's final round. Gourcuff has scored several late goals in Bordeaux's title charge, and set up many more for striker Marouane Chamakh.