Lens have announced the signing of Red Bull Salzburg centre-back Samson Baidoo (21). According to L’Équipe, the Ligue 1 side fought off Premier League competition to secure the signing of the Austrian defender on an €8m deal, including bonuses. Baidoo has signed a five-year deal with Lens and will wear the No. 6 jersey. The 21-year-old has been labeled a priority signing for Lens, who were in the market for a centre-back after parting ways with Abdukodir Khusanov and Kevin Danso during the winter transfer window.

The Tottenham Hotspur centre-back reportedly helped Lens to secure the signing of Baidoo. The Austria international told his fellow countryman about how Les Sang et Or would ensure his development as a player, and also the culture that surrounds the club. “Samson is a player that the recruitment team has been eyeing for a while”, said Lens’ Sporting Director Jean-Louis Leca. “He was our priority to strengthen our defense and quickly in the discussions, the interest was mutual. Samson has physical abilities and a defensive rigor highly developed for his age.”