Barnsley have pinched defender Jean-Yves Mvoto from under the noses of Doncaster Rovers.
The giant 24-year-old had agreed terms with Rovers and featured in the majority of the club’s pre-season friendlies.
Mvoto looked certain to strike up a partnership with Rob Jones at the heart of Doncaster’s defence, linking up again with former boss Paul Dickov who he worked under at Oldham.
However, the Frenchman had not put pen to paper on a deal and the Tykes have nipped in to take the former Sunderland and Paris St Germain centre half on a two-year deal.
Mvoto told Barnsley’s official website: “I’m very happy to be in Barnsley now. I heard about the move a couple of days ago.
“I had a talk with the manager, I like his project and everything he said.
“I just wanted to come to Barnsley.”