Benoit Pedretti has decided to join Marseille on a four-year contract.
The Sochaux skipper is joining the Uefa Cup finalists after two years with his present club.
The fee will be around ‚é¼4.5 million and, although there was some contact from Arsenal some time ago, Pedretti had no intention of leaving France.
"This is the choice of my heart," he told L'Est Republicain.
"I wanted Marseille. I always wanted to play for this club since I was a kid.
"I know (they might not be in Europe). That did not bother me with the final choice. But a championship game in France with Marseille is always a European match. Also, I believe they will win this final against Valencia. They have a trophy to win.
"My preference was for Marseille. It is true that PSG were there at the same time of the final negotiations.
"There were hesitations but l'OM have been interested for a long time. Even this winter, they wanted me to come but Sochaux refused."
Lyon were also keen on the 23-year-old but his first choice was to join l'OM.
