Brentford have announced the signing of Mamadou Sangare from Lens for a club-record fee.
Sangare joins the Bees on a five-year contract, with a club option for a further 12 months, after a reported £41m (€47.9m) deal was struck between the two clubs.
The midfielder made 33 appearances for Lens last season, helping them finish second in Ligue 1 and win their first-ever Coupe de France title.
In the Coupe de France showpiece, Sangare led his team-mates in shots (four), touches (57) and accurate passes (33), while also winning possession six times (joint-second most).
Last season in Ligue 1, Sangare won possession back for his side on more occasions than any other midfielder (207).
He also ranked second for tackles (86) and duels won (190), and joint-third for interceptions (40) among midfielders.
"Mamadou is someone that we've tracked for quite some time. He's been on our radar and was a player we were really keen to bring in," said Brentford boss Keith Andrews.
"Last season was a huge season for him following a couple of loan spells during which he developed.
"At Lens, he performed at such a consistently high level for a team that finished second in the league.
"He's a player that adds to a really good midfield that we already have; he also adds qualities that we don't have. He complements the current midfield.
"He fits everything we want from a Brentford player, on and off the pitch. He'll be a player that I think will become very, very popular with the fans."
Sangare is the Bees' fourth summer signing, following the arrivals of Jannik Schuster, Jaidon Anthony and Callum Wilson.
Brentford, who missed out on Conference League qualification on goal difference last season, begin their 2026-27 Premier League campaign at home against Tottenham on August 22.