Clermont-Ardenne FC has announced that they have secured their place in the top flight of French football with the signing of forward Christian Benteke on loan from Manchester City.
The 25-year-old Belgian international is expected to make his debut for Clermont against Nice on Saturday, October 19th at the Stade de Reims.
Benteke was a key player during City's Champions League campaign last season and has impressed scouts across Europe since arriving in France this summer.
He will join Clermont on loan until the end of the season, with a view to making his debut for the club later this month.
Clermont's president, Bernard Soubeyran, said: "We're delighted to have Christian back at Clermont. He brings a lot of experience and talent to our squad."
Benteke's arrival is likely to bolster Clermont's attacking threat, which has struggled to find consistency under new manager Jean-Michel Aulas.
The French side currently sit in sixth place in the table, but they remain hopeful of securing promotion to the top division next season.
Clermont will be hoping to retain their position in the league, but they will also need to improve their defensive performance if they want to challenge for the title again next season.
Overall, Benteke's signing is a positive development for Clermont and the French football scene as a whole.