Nottingham Forest have signed French defender Matthieu Louis-Jean on loan for the rest of the season.

Forest wanted to buy the right-back but they could not reach an agreement with his French club Le Havre over a fee.

Instead, they have paid a loan fee of £100,000 and have a first refusal option on him.

Forest boss Dave Bassett said: "We couldn't reach an agreement over a fee but this is the next best thing."

Forest have been on Louis-Jean's trail since he completed a successful trial at the City Ground last month and he joins fellow countryman Jean-Claude Darcheville at the club.